THE Port of Charleston, South Carolina's largest container posted a 13.3 per cent year-on-year third quarter volume increase to 400,492 TEU, its best quarter in four years, according to the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA).

"These gains are significant as they come in the face of a tepid global economy," said SCPA chief executive Jim Newsome. "The port will need to continue to expand its cargo base to make further progress."

 Volumes for the calendar year to date are also up by a total of 9.4 per cent. Container volumes in September continued to show year-on-year growth, with the port handling 131,686 TEU, a 5.3 per cent increase.

 Breakbulk volume at the Port of Charleston surged to its highest quarter in more than two decades, with 302,611 pier tons handled from July through September.

 Non-container tonnage across the South Carolina Ports Authority's (SCPA) portfolio of ports during the first quarter of the fiscal year was up 27.6 per cent over the same period in 2011, with 442,848 pier tons recorded at the ports of Charleston and Georgetown.

 In September, the SCPA handled 159,476 pier tons of non-containerised cargo at the two ports.

 The SCPA also approved a US$571,850 contract with Palmetto Gunite Construction Company of Ravenel for wharf substructure repairs at the Columbus Street Terminal, also approving a contract worth up to $600,000 to Marinex Dredging for maintenance berth dredging at the Wando Welch Terminal. The work will be completed in November, said the SCPA.

(Source:shipping online)