S.C. ports act to meet growing freight demand

TRADE

With freight surging, the S.C. State Ports Authority approved a budget Tuesday that includes new jobs and a two-year, $154 million investment plan, much of it for equipment to handle more shipping containers.

The authority operates the Charleston port, one of the nation's largest, which has benefited from increased global trade as well as freight diverted from jammed West Coast ports. The budget, for the year beginning July 1, anticipates container volume will rise 8.5 percent.

The authority plans an expansion at the former Charleston Navy Base and is battling with Jasper County over the right to build a new port further south, on the Savannah River.

Operating revenues are expected to increase 10 percent during the year beginning July 1, to $165 million. The authority's spending plan calls for adding 16 workers, most in operations and maintenance, for a total work force of 619 people.

Stella M. Hopkins