NORTH AMERICA

Carolinas ambitions

21 years ago

Nine shipping lines and terminal operators form part of three proposals submitted to the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA), requesting participation in the development of a new three berth, 280 acre terminal in Charleston on the former US Naval Complex, SCSPA has announced.

Charleston: expanding but competition feared from neighbour

“Major considerations will be the commitment to South Carolina, the length of the offer, the cargo volume projection and the financial terms. Any necessary followup discussions with the firms will be initiated within the next two months”, the SCSPA say.

The Corps of Engineers expects a decision on permits for the Charleston expansion project by August, and construction of the first phase should be completed by the end of 2011. The terminal is projected to handle 1.38m TEUs.

Meanwhile, North Carolina plans to build a billion-dollar international port which would act as a trade gateway that could host the world’s largest cargo ships. The North Carolina International Port, dubbed “Southport”, near Wilmingon in Brunswick County would be able to handle 2m TEUs a year within a decade and is likely to act as a competitor to Charleston and Hampton Roads north of Norfolk, Virginia. Money to build this port has already been approved at the state level and there is reportedly great interest in the business community.