WASHINGTON: The South Carolina Ports Authority, or SCPA, has reported growth in breakbulk tonnage for the fiscal year ended June 30, with volumes rising to 901,974 pier tons handled. Roll-on, roll-off cargo was a significant driver of growth within the breakbulk sector, with the SCPA reporting its highest ever finished vehicle volume at the Columbus Street Terminal. A total of 274,426 vehicles moved across SCPA docks in the fiscal year, an 8 percent increase over the previous year.
“Our port has made significant progress on key projects this fiscal year, including harbor deepening, Leatherman Terminal construction and the Wando Terminal wharf project,” said Pat McKinney, chairman of the SCPA board.
As container volumes also rose 1.4 percent in the same period, the port authority stated that it was “well-positioned to meet the changing needs of our industry” and would continue its development program. As part of this program the SCPA board authorized a US$23.6 million purchase for two new ship-to-shore cranes for the Wando Terminal alongside the purchase of 12 rubber-tired gantry cranes and 12 empty container handlers.