A well-run port with capacity in the Southeast
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
SOUTHEAST TRADE AND LOGISTICS
Facility ( NBIF ) is also taking shape near the Port of Charleston to further enhance the port ’ s intermodal capabilities .
Six rail-mounted gantry cranes are expected to move cargo to and from CSX and Norfolk Southern trains , creating a direct link between Port of Charleston and the two inland ports and onto interior markets that boast a growing consumer and industry base . The rail-served cargo facility will be capable of up to 1 million rail lifts
and be able to handle 14,000-foot trains .
“ This state-of-the-art facility strengthens supply chain resiliency and makes our port more competitive ,” Melvin said . “ By continuing to make bold investments , we support our customers ’ supply chains and make room for new business to benefit from our excellent port service .”
Both ports anticipate more investment in the coming years .
In FY24 , NC Ports invested $ 80 million across Wilmington , Morehead City and Charlotte . This includes the second phase of a refrigerated container yard and container yard expansion at the Port of Wilmington and new warehouse space and berth renovations in Morehead City . New gantry cranes have also been ordered for both ports to keep pace with strong general cargo demand , Clark said .
NC Ports plans to lean into its
“ By continuing to make bold investments , we support our customers ’ supply chains and make room for new business .”
infrastructure investment , allocating another $ 80 million toward capital projects across all facilities in its FY25 spending plan . In particular , the continued growth of its cold chain transportation will offer more than 1,500 reefer plugs at the Port of Wilmington .
A significant cold storage facility will be online near the port in the near future , offering shippers more than 290,000 square feet of storage , Clark said . This is in addition to a 300,000-square-foot cold storage facility operated by Performance Team , a Maersk Company , that opened in January .
In addition to projects such as SANY America , the Wilmington Trade Center offers near-port industrial space for tenants who need up to 1 million square feet of space . When fully built out , the facility is expected to activate more than 3 million square feet of Class-A industrial space less than 9 miles from the Port of Wilmington and with direct access to major interstates , Clark noted .
For NC Ports , proximity is a key advantage .
“ Wilmington ’ s near-port model benefits from the port ’ s industry-best gate turn times and ship-to-rail service ,” Clark said . “ Truck drivers can get in and out of port gates in under 20 minutes for a single turn and under 30 minutes for a dual turn . Cargo requiring intermodal transit is immediately discharged off the vessel to on-dock rail without any dwell time .”
Meanwhile , SC Ports purchased the former WestRock paper mill site earlier this year with support from its board of directors and the South Carolina state legislature .
The 280-acre site is expected to
A well-run port with capacity in the Southeast
As the 8th busiest US container port , South Carolina Ports provides reliable , highly productive port service for companies ’ supply chains . Port-dependent businesses benefit from having access to a well-run port with capacity in the booming Southeast .
SC Ports has the deepest harbor on the US East Coast at 52 feet , big-ship capabilities , cargo capacity and efficient operations to speed goods to market . Two rail-served inland ports provide quick access to inland markets , ensuring goods swiftly flow to and from the Port of Charleston .
SC Ports will further enhance rail capabilities with a new stateof-the-art , rail-served intermodal yard near the Port of Charleston . The Navy Base Intermodal Facility will be dual served by both CSX and Norfolk Southern .
“ The Southeast market is booming , with a growing population driving imports and new manufacturing investments spurring exports ,” said SC Ports president and CEO Barbara Melvin . “ SC Ports is well-positioned for this growth with an enhanced intermodal network and more than 10 million TEUs of capacity planned within Charleston Harbor .”
As more cargo shifts from the West Coast to the East Coast , SC Ports remain the preferred port for customers .
“ SC Ports is a powerhouse port with a reputation for providing reliable , highly productive port service . Our maritime community quickly works ships and efficiently moves cargo for our customers ,” Melvin said .
“ We remain hyper focused on providing the operational excellence that our customers have come to expect from us , while proactively investing in port capacity to efficiently handle their growth .” n
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46 Journal of Commerce | October 21 , 2024 www . joc . com