Battle for Port Infrastructure Funding Intensifies Between Georgia, South Carolina

NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Competition for federal infrastructure funding is heating up among East Coast ports anxious to attract increased container shipping volumes predicted to enter supply chains in 2014, via an expanded Panama Canal. Resentment over the growth of Georgia's ports is fueling opposition from neighboring South Carolina, which could derail expansion efforts for both states and push funding and traffic to other ports, reports The Journal of Commerce.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110214/NY47704)

Eleven years of work by the Georgia Ports Authority on its Savannah Harbor Expansion Project could be in vain if South Carolina exercises its right to veto work on the Savannah River – the border between the two states. South Carolina politicians are promising to mount efforts to block the project on environmental grounds. "If Georgia and the corps (of engineers) don't reverse course, you're going to see this thing litigated in federal court for many years to come," said State Sen. Larry Grooms, chairman of the Transportation Committee and the South Carolina State Ports Authority's Review and Oversight Commission. Such delays could be disastrous for the entire region, pushing traffic as well as tens of millions of dollars in funding somewhere else in the Southeast.

While South Carolina's container trade grew 12.5 percent during the first 11 months of 2010, container volume at Georgia ports expanded 14.7 percent over 2009 with nearly 2 million TEUs, according to data from PIERS, a sister company of The Journal of Commerce. But, the Savannah River will need a deeper channel to maintain its position as the nation's fourth-largest container port – second-largest on the East Coast – as Panama Canal traffic patterns revolutionize the shipping game.

"Without approval for (the deepening project), our ports are out of play," GPA's Executive Director Curtis Foltz said recently.

Written by Senior Editor Peter T. Leach, this week's Cover Story examines the rivalry between the two biggest container ports in the Southeast and the overall East Coast race for infrastructure dollars and, ultimately, most post-Panamax volume.

"Considering the challenges, South Carolina and Georgia have the potential for synergy that could put them further ahead of the pack in containerized trade in the Southeast," said environmental consulting firm Dial Cordy Associates' H. Layton Bedsole Jr. "If South Carolina would support Savannah getting its money, and Georgia would support South Carolina's feasibility and future construction money.. they could steal the show."

To view daily news visit www.joc.com. For all media enquires, including article reprints, please contact Editorial Director Paul Page.

Since 1827, The Journal of Commerce has been the most trusted source of intelligence for international logistics executives to help them plan global supply chains and better manage day-to-day transportation of goods and commodities in the United States and internationally.

To become a member of The Journal of Commerce click here. JOC members have access to our weekly print and digital magazine and Web site, as well as a 10% discount on all JOC events and trade shows, UBM Global Trade Directories and select PIERS products. Authoritative editorial content in the form of daily news, weekly analysis and regular features ensure our members have the information and data necessary to understand the issues facing trucking, rail and maritime transportation. Members enjoy access to "By the Numbers," an exclusive weekly compilation of key industry statistics that provides detailed views of current market trends across all modes. Regular market intelligence reports -- utilizing PIERS trade data -- include Top 100 Imports and Exporters, quarterly Top 40 Container lines, Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic Maritime Forecasts and Top Container Ports and Terminals. Market-sector supplements, including Breakbulk, Cool Cargoes, 3PL, JOC Guide to Trucking and others, ensure all modes are comprehensively covered.  

About UBM Global Trade - UBM Global Trade is the leading provider of proprietary data, news, business intelligence and analytical content supporting commercial maritime, rail, trucking, warehousing and logistics industries worldwide. The company's portfolio of more than 100 online, print and interactive workflow business solutions includes The Journal of Commerce, Breakbulk, RailResource, PIERS and an array of international trade and transportation databases and directories. UBM Global Trade, a subsidiary of United Business Media Limited, is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with offices throughout the United States. For more information, explore www.ubmglobaltrade.com or call 800-952-3839 (+1-973-776-8660 outside the U.S. or Canada).

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Peter Leach

http://www.profnetconnect.com/peter_leach

SOURCE The Journal of Commerce