Charleston Delivers New Port Terminal for Vehicles, Other Non-Container Cargo
March 3, 2011
CHARLESTON, SC – February 28, 2011 – Thanks to a six-month,$22-million improvement project, the Port of Charleston has expanded tohandle BMW’s growing export business, along with other rolling stock,large machinery, power-generating equipment and additional non-container cargoes.
The South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) is putting the final touches on a new and improved Columbus Street Terminal. The$21.7-million investment enhances more than 70 acres of storage yard and adds additional rail infrastructure.
A primary driver of the work is BMW’s growing export business. BMWmanufactures X5, X6 and the all-new X3 vehicles at its Spartanburg, SCplant. In 2010, BMW’s exports of the X-series to 130 global markets were valued at more than $4 billion.
To accommodate and better serve the automaker’s business and otheroperations, the SCSPA is relocating roll-on/roll-off cargo operationsfrom Union Pier Terminal to the larger Columbus Street Terminal, wherethe first BMW shipments arrived by rail last Tuesday.
“BMW is a strategic customer of the Port of Charleston, and thisrelocation to a more robust and capable terminal is essential to handleport growth,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the SCSPA. “BMW’ssuccess in South Carolina demonstrates the impact trade and our portshave on jobs and economic health,” said Newsome.
Ships serving the BMW business began calling at Columbus StreetTerminal over the weekend with the arrival of “K” Line’s CaliforniaHighway. Additional carriers including Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Höegh Lineand ARC offer roll-on/roll-off service in Charleston, and numerous other breakbulk carriers routinely call Columbus Street Terminal.
The expansion will also serve increases in other non-containercargoes. “With highly skilled labor, rail infrastructure and liftingcapabilities up to 500 tons, Charleston offers solutions forover-dimensional moves, project cargoes and other breakbulk cargoes,”said Newsome.
As a result of the move, daily trainloads of vehicles will no longercross streets south of Columbus Street Terminal. Cargo operations,including other rail, will continue at Union Pier until the new cruiseterminal opens and the redevelopment of non-maritime properties begins.
About the South Carolina State Ports Authority
The South Carolina State Ports Authority, established by the state’sGeneral Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston and Georgetown, handling international commerce valued atmore than $50 billion annually while receiving no direct taxpayersubsidy. An economic development engine for the state, port operationsfacilitate 260,800 jobs across South Carolina and nearly $45 billion ineconomic activity each year. For more information, visit www.scspa.com.
