NEWS BRIEFS: Upswing at Ports since drops caused by pandemic

In what is believed to be a sign of positive maritime activity to come, Charleston’s port last week welcomed the largest ship ever to dock on the East Coast — the 15,072-TEU CMA CGM Brazil. (Photo SCPA/English Purcell).

Staff reports  |  The South Carolina Ports Authority saw some positive cargo trends in August, pointing to a slow but emerging recovery during the ongoing global pandemic.

SC Ports handled 208,837 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) at the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals in August, down about 10 percent year-over-year, according to a press release. When compared to recent months however, volumes are trending positively, with TEUs up 18 percent since July and up 33 percent since June.  Furthermore, the ports moved 116,248 pier containers, down 12 percent year-over-year, but up 17 percent from July and up 31 percent from June.

“Our August volumes surpassed expectations, reflecting the best year-over-year month since the pandemic began impacting global supply chains in March,” SC Ports President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “We are encouraged by a steady rebound in containers, vehicles and inland port rail moves.”

August also marked the second highest month ever for imports to the Port of Charleston, Newsome said.

“Our imports are returning to — and at times surpassing — pre-pandemic levels as consumers invest in more goods for their homes and families,” he said. “SC Ports is well-known for expertly moving goods just-in-time for global companies. Our efficient operations and big-ship capabilities perfectly suit the needs of global retailers who require reliability and adaptability in their supply chains.”

SC Ports also recently celebrated a big win in the retailer and e-commerce space with Walmart investing in a 3-million-square-foot distribution center in Dorchester County, S.C. The facility, set to break ground in March 2021, will eventually boost port volumes by 5 percent.

Also in recent news:

Women to be honored Oct. 1:  YWCA Greater Charleston will honor 12 women leaders Oct. 1 at its What Women Bring virtual event that will include discussions on topics from the gender wage gap and the glass ceiling to succeeding as a woman of color.  Honorees include: 

• Kenya Dunn, founder and chief executive officer of The Power-Filled Woman; 
• Roslin Fields, founder and executive director of Youth Empowerment Services; 
• Treva Williams, lead organizer of the Charleston Area Justice Ministry; 
• Adrienne Troy-Frazier, executive director of Berkeley County First Steps;
• Sharon Middleton McGhee, minority and women SBA coordinator at the Charleston County Aviation Authority;
• Dr. Paula Orr, physician and owner of Charleston Women’s Wellness Center;
• Pat Jones, general manager of Carowinds;
• Jennie Stephens, chief executive officer of the Center for Heirs Property Preservation;
• Rita Littles Scott, retired vice president and general manager  of WCSC Live 5 TV;
• Camela Guevera, independent artist and art director for the Carolina Youth Action Project;
• Shannon Williams, vice president of sales and marketing at BoomTown;
• Romaine Heyward, operations and booking manager for the Dock Street Theatre.

Zile

MUSC researcher wins top award.  Dr. Michael Robert Zile, an MUSC cardiologist, has received the 2020 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Science, the state’s highest honor for research, according to a press release.  Zile, who serves as the Charles Ezra Daniel Professor of Medicine at MUSC and chief of the Division of Cardiology at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center,  is recognized internationally as a heart failure clinician and scientist and renowned for his seminal contributions to heart failure basic, translational and clinical research and heart failure clinical practice. Said Gov. Henry McMaster, “This kind of study and achievement and research is particularly relevant today, when we think of the COVID virus and all of the things that entails. So, I want to thank you. I want to congratulate you today. Your work is truly making South Carolina ‘Brain Power USA.’ We’re getting stronger and stronger, and I urge you to keep it up.”

Lawmakers complete shakeup of utility overseers. The General Assembly last week elected four new commissioners to the Public Service Commission. The elections have unseated all former commissioners involved on the commission prior to 2017, when rates were OK’d to be increased as a private utility sunk more money into a failed nuclear investment. The new commissioners include: Carolee Williams of Charleston (District 1), Mike Caston of Clemson (District 3), Headen Thomas of Rock Hill (District 5), and Delton Powers of Bennettsville (District 7). 

S.C. drops out of top-10 spot in women killed by men. For the first time since the data on the number of women killed by men began in 1996, South Carolina has dropped out of the top 10. The state still ranks 11th. Read more. 

Hospitality taxes OK’d for mitigating flooding. The House and Senate have sent McMaster a bill to allow local governments to use hospitality fees to pay for flooding and drainage projects. McMaster’s office has expressed intentions of signing this bill into law. Read more. 

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