Investing in customer success
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
SOUTHEAST TRADE AND LOGISTICS
double the size of the North Charleston Terminal , giving SC Ports the capacity to handle 5 million containers , create 5,000 feet of linear berth space for container ships and allow for nearly 400 acres of cargo space on terminal .
SC Ports is also working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to achieve a 52-foot depth to the terminal , matching the depth of Charleston Harbor . The South Carolina Department of Transportation plans to replace and raise the Don Holt Bridge on Interstate 526 , removing height constraints for vessels .
These two efforts will enable the largest container ships calling the US East Coast to access North Charleston Terminal , complementing the port ’ s plan to enhance the terminal ’ s capacity to 5 million containers in the future , SC Ports said .
After more than three years , the Hugh K . Leatherman Terminal reopened for container business in September . Zim became the first carrier to commit to the terminal by launching its first-to-Asia service this month , giving shippers a vital link to and from Asia and Southeastern US consumers .
Resumed activity at Leatherman
Terminal unlocks an additional 700,000 TEUs of capacity in Charleston Harbor and up to 2.4 million TEUs when it is fully built out , according to SC Ports .
Opened in 2021 , SC Ports invested $ 1 billion into Leatherman Terminal , the first greenfield marine terminal built in the US in nearly 10 years . It sat unused amid labor issues ; however , SC Ports and the International Longshoremen ’ s Association ( ILA ) were able to broker an agreement , allowing Charleston ’ s non-union , state employee crane operators to join the ILA .
With the reopened Leatherman Terminal , ongoing modernization of Wando Welch Terminal and the planned expansion of North Charleston Terminal , SC Ports sits ready to unlock 10 million TEUs in Charleston Harbor .
“ SC Ports prides itself on not only being able to efficiently handle the current demand , but to plan for growth ahead of our customer ’ s projected needs , ensuring we remain a preferred and reliable port to cargo owners ,” Melvin said . n
email : karen . robes @ gmail . com
Hurricane Helene recovery resources
As the states of North and South Carolina begin to recover after Hurricane Helene ’ s impact , the below resources have been identified to provide assistance .
NORTH CAROLINA DISASTER RELIEF FUND : www . nc . gov / donate
ONE SC FUND : www . yourfoundation . org / impact-initiatives / one-sc-fund
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY ( FEMA ): NC : www . fema . gov / disaster / 4827
SC : www . fema . gov / disaster / 4829
Investing in customer success
Since 1952 , North Carolina Ports has been serving the Southeast and beyond with speed and efficiency . From Wilmington to Morehead City and Charlotte , NC Ports connects customers to global markets with ease .
The NC Ports team continues to invest in its infrastructure to enhance productivity while increasing capacity . Fiscal year 2024 marked a robust year for investment in NC ports and a record year for intermodal volume , demonstrating NC Ports ’ commitment to strengthening the efficient movement of goods across the state of North Carolina and throughout the country . The most recent improvements include
• Intermodal expansion : NC Ports has broken ground on its new on-dock intermodal facility that will introduce 5,000 additional feet of working track at the Port of Wilmington with dedicated container handling equipment , increasing capacity to more than 50,000 intermodal rail moves annually . Combined with the port ’ s high vessel productivity and no on-port dwell , its express rail services are unmatched for reliable intermodal connections to Southeastern and Midwestern markets .
• Expansion of the container yard : The container yard is actively expanding , with the target of doubling the Port of Wilmington ’ s annual throughput capacity to more than 1 million TEUs . With the recent completion of Phase 2 of the refrigerated container yard , North Carolina Ports now offers more than 1,500 shoreside plugs to support its rapidly growing refrigerated container volumes , including a broad range of import perishables .
• General cargo improvements : In Morehead City , new warehouse space and berth renovations are nearing completion , and new gantry cranes are on order for both deepwater ports to keep pace with strong general cargo demand .
While NC Ports is experiencing immense growth and change , its commitment to partners and customers remains the same . The team continues to offer tailored solutions , top-notch expertise and a personal shipping experience for all port users .
NC Ports is more than a business partner ; it ’ s a partner in your success . Visit ncports . com to learn how NC Ports can simplify your business , streamline your logistical challenges and expand your economic horizons . n
48 Journal of Commerce | October 21 , 2024 www . joc . com