Port Royal made up fraction of SPA's cargo operation
BY CLAY BARBOUR
Of The Post and Courier Staff
COLUMBIA--Gov. Mark Sanford is taking a break from his second round of budget hearings to seal the deal on an idea that emerged last year, during his first round of budget hearings.
The governor will be in Beaufort County today to sign a bill closing Port Royal, one of the three ports operated by the State Ports Authority.
The others are in Charleston and Georgetown.
During last year's budget hearings Sanford questioned the need for the break-bulk terminal, as it lost about $58,000 in 2002.
The terminal serves only about 20 ships a year and handles mostly cement, fertilizer and other cargo. The Port Royal business makes up just a fraction of the SPA's operation, which focuses primarily on containerized cargo.
At the time, Sanford said Charleston's terminals could move Port Royal's annual cargo in a matter of days. Combined with the skyrocketing value of real estate in the Beaufort area, that led Sanford to suggest shutting it down and selling it.
"It's something costing the state money that could be turned into an asset," said Sanford spokesman, Will Folks. "If something is supposed to make money and it's not doing that, then sell it. That's the way the governor sees it."
The SPA took over operation of the 12-acre terminal from a private company in 1995. Officials have said they don't know how much the land will bring, but based on real estate value, they agreed it's worth more than the facility.
The bill becomes effective upon Sanford's signature. Folks said he did not know if potential buyers are lining up.
According to the bill, marine operations at Port Royal will cease as soon as possible and the SPA will take charge of the sale.
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