Bill Stern News

Charleston Harbor is now the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet.At 52 feet, the biggest ships calling the East Coast can access South Carolina Ports’ terminals any time, any tide. Ships filled with record imports and heavy exports can seamlessly sail through Charleston Harbor to SC Ports’ terminals.This depth makes SC Ports more competitive, helping to attract new ship services, first-in-calls and more cargo to South Carolina.Governor Henry McMaster and other state elected leaders…

US President Donald Trump approved $138 million for the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project as part of the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill in the 2020 Budget.According to a statement from South Carolina Ports Authority, both the Senate and the House voted to approve the appropriations bill this week as part of the fiscal year 2020 funding package, and Trump signed it into law Friday."This enormous step forward means the project is fully funded to completion and on track to achieve a 52-foot depth in 2021," it said.S.C. Ports Authority Board Chairman Bill Stern said: “This huge infusion of federal funding reflects the importance of ensuring South Carolina has a deep harbor capable of handling mega container ships."S.C.

South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) announced the strongest March in its history and more than 11 percent fiscal year-over-year growth.SCPA moved 214,123 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) last month, making it the second highest month in SCPA history. The Port handled its highest monthly record in October 2018, with 217,035 TEUs moved across the docks.“The record volumes achieved last month reflect a very positive end to our third quarter of the fiscal year,” said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO.“SCPA also saw the highest month of export loads since the fiscal year began in July 2018, with 42,524 export loads handled.

The South Carolina Ports Authority announced a fiscal year-to-date container volume increase of seven percent, with 678,033 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled since July. SCPA moved 164,734 TEUs in October. From a calendar year-to-date perspective, SCPA has seen container volume increase 11 percent over last year with 1,674,891 TEUs handled since January. As measured in pier containers, 93,046 boxes moved across SCPA docks last month. Fiscal year to date, SCPA has handled 382,656 pier containers for an increase of six percent over the same period last year. Non-containerized cargo tonnage also continued to climb through October, with fiscal year-to-date volumes 19 percent ahead of plan.

South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) saw strong container volume growth during the first quarter of the 2016 fiscal year, with TEU volumes 9.5 percent higher than the same period last year. SCPA handled 167,549 TEUs last month, an 11.1 percent increase from September 2014 volumes. Since the 2016 fiscal year began in July, SCPA has moved 513,299 TEUs. As measured in pier containers, 289,610 boxes have moved across SCPA docks fiscal year to date. Pier container volume is up 8.6 percent from the 266,741 boxes handled during the same period last fiscal year. "Our growth is indicative of broad-based strength across all market segments," said SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome.

On the heels of announcing its five-year growth, investment and cargo base expansion plans at the State of the Port, South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) reported a four percent increase in August container volumes over the same month last year. SCPA said it handled 170,528 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in August. With 345,751 TEUs moved during the first two months of the 2016 fiscal year, container volume is up 8.8 percent year-over-year. As measured in pier containers, nearly 97,000 boxes moved across SCPA docks in August. Fiscal year-to-date pier container volume is up 8.1 percent, with 195,703 boxes handled during the last two months. "August was a strong month across all business segments," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO.

Press Release - The 52-foot Charleston Harbor Deepening Project announced receipt of its Chief's Report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, their final substantive approval required for the project to progress through construction. The report by Lieutenant General Thomas Bostick, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to the Secretary of the Army outlines the recommendation of deepening the Charleston Harbor channel to 52 feet and entrance channel to 54 feet, as well as enlarging turning basins to accommodate for post-Panamax vessels calling South Carolina Port Authority's (SCPA) container terminals. After review by the Secretary's office…

Today SC Ports Authority reported 2015 fiscal year-end operating earnings of $30.4 million and revenues of $196.8 million, significant increases over the previous year's financial performance. From July through June, SCPA more than doubled its previous fiscal year's operating earnings of $14.3 million, while operating revenues increased 20 percent over FY2014 revenues of $32.6 million. Total operating expenses for the 2015 fiscal year totaled $166.3 million. "The strong financial…

Charleston Harbor deepening project earns key federal funding for preconstruction engineering and design; U.S. Today SC Ports Authority announced $1.303 million in federal funding for the Post-45 Harbor deepening project, allowing the preconstruction engineering and design (PED) phase of the 52-foot deepening effort to begin. The announcement follows last week's U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Review Board (CWRB) approval to release the project's Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement for final review, another critical step of federal approval for the S.C. Port Authority to provide the deepest harbor on the East Coast. "The allocation of federal funding for the PED phase of our deepening project is tremendous," said SCPA Board Chairman Bill Stern.

U.S. Today in Washington, DC, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Review Board (CWRB) unanimously approved the Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement for the Charleston Post-45 Harbor Deepening project, a significant step in the federal process that ensures the project is on schedule to receive its Chief's Report this September. "Today's approval by the Civil Works Review Board allows our harbor deepening project to progress without delay," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "Once deepening to 52 feet is realized, Charleston will offer the deepest harbor on the East Coast with the capability to serve fully-loaded post-Panamax vessels 24 hours a day.

Following a record-setting month of container volumes achieved in May, the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) board of directors looked ahead to a favorable 2016 fiscal year today with the adoption of a financial plan that includes continued cargo growth, increased operating revenues and significant capital investments. The plan projects pier container volume of 1.15 million boxes during FY2016, a 7.2 percent increase over projected totals for the current fiscal year. Strong growth at the inland port is also planned…

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) FY 2016 budget contained approximately $20 million for strategic South Carolina port projects, including critical operations and maintenance dollars and construction dollars that support Charleston's vital shipping channels. These recommendations exceed last year's totals by $5 million. "This budget highlights the valuable role South Carolina plays in the global marketplace, and we continue to be deeply appreciative of the commitment the Administration…

The SC Ports Authority announced another month of double-digit container growth, with fiscal year-to-date volumes up 13 percent year over year. The port handled 144,218 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in November, an increase of 8 percent over the same month last year. Fiscal year to date TEU volumes are 11 percent ahead of plan, with 777,566 TEUs handled since July. As measured in pier containers, SCPA handled 82,466 boxes last month, an increase of 10 percent over November 2013 volumes. Fiscal year to date, pier container volume is up 14 percent year over year.

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) announced today that October volumes were up nearly 17 percent year over year, continuing a growth trend in container traffic well above the organization's financial plan. SCPA handled 164,672 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in October, up from 141,049 TEUs moved during the same month last year. Fiscal year to date, TEU volumes are up 14 percent and nearly 13 percent ahead of plan. As measured in pier containers, October volume increased 19 percent over the same month last year, with 94,470 boxes moved.

Today the US Army Corps of Engineers released the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement for the Post-45 Harbor Deepening project, recommending that the Charleston Harbor be deepened to 52 feet. "The Port of Charleston's ability to handle post-Panamax vessels 24 hours a day without tidal restriction is critical to the future competitiveness of our state port system," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "Completion of our harbor deepening project to 52 feet ensures that SCPA will continue to grow above the market average and remain a top ten port, facilitating trade and economic development for our entire state, region and nation.

SC Ports Authority reported 2014 fiscal year-end operating earnings of $14.3 million, 20.7 percent over the organization's financial plan. From July through June, the SCPA posted operating revenues of $164.1 million, an increase of nearly 17 percent over the previous fiscal year. FY2014 expenses totaled $149.9 million. "With the Port's aggressive capital plan for the next several years, a solid financial performance is essential," said SCPA Board Chairman Bill Stern. Last month the SCPA announced 8 percent container growth for the fiscal year…

The U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly passed the Omnibus appropriations bill, allowing key SC Ports Authority projects to proceed, says the Ports Authority. The bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives with support of five members of the South Carolina delegation, and it now goes to the President's desk for signature. The bill includes funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue its Feasibility Study of the Post-45 Harbor Deepening project, which expects to receive its Chief's Report in September 2015…

South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) Board of Directors approve its fiscal year 2014 financial plan. During its regular monthly meeting, the Board approved the SCPA's fiscal plan for the coming 12 months. From July 1 to June 30, capital spending of $123 million will fund major infrastructure investments such as the new container terminal at the former Navy Base, new equipment to handle the increased size of ships in the port as well as other upgrades to existing facilities. The largest single area of spending is for the South Carolina Inland Port in Greer, SC, with $29.1 million planned to cover the remaining SCPA share of the project. The new facility is slated for a September 2013 opening.

The President's FY 2014 Budget once again includes funds to continue Charleston's Post-45 harbor deepening project. This project was designated last year by the Administration as one of its priority infrastructure projects. The recently released fiscal year 2014 budget includes a $1.165-million allocation to continue the considerable progress on the project's feasibility study, now at its midpoint. With 45 feet of depth at mean low water, Charleston currently has the deepest channels in the region and can handle ships drafting up to 48 feet on high tide. Deepening Charleston Harbor to 50 feet will open the port to handling larger post-Panamax container ships 24 hours a day.

Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta welcomed officials from South Carolina, including state legislative and port representatives. The delegation, which visited the Panama Canal and the Pacific side expansion site, arrived in Panama September 22. The initial meeting, included South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) Board of Directors Chairman Bill Stern; South Carolina State Senator Larry Grooms; Rockefeller Group Development Corporation Executive Vice President, Development, Leslie E. Smith, Jr.; and Mr. Alemán Zubieta.