“We’re expecting the permitting process to be cleared in November, ” says Byron Miller, director of public relations at South Carolina State Ports Authority.
“We’re talking to three carrier groups about their involvement in this.”
The terminal will boast 3,500 ft of berth and yard space totaling 280 acres.
“Nothing has been ruled out in terms of who operates the terminal, ” he said. “We think it is about five years before it will be ready.”
The port authority is also attempting to acquire a site on Jasper Island on the Savannah River to build a second new container terminal, but securing the land has created conflict with authorities in Georgia. “Even a best case scenario would not see this come to fruition for another 7-8 years, ” said Mr Miller.
The Authority recently ordered four container cranes from China’s ZPMC for delivery next year along with 16 rubber-tyred gantry cranes from Konecranes. “We’ve probably got three dozen of these RTGs, ” said Mr Miller.
“It’s a fine piece of equipment.”