Shipment reflects hot market for U.S. exports

Shipment reflects hot market for U.S. exports The Port of Camden calls it “a sign of the times” — a U.S.-flag dry bulk ship moving not food preference cargo overseas, but a commercial load of scrap metal destined for Turkey.
   The South Jersey Port Corp. said the Mary Ann Hudson is scheduled to load 38,500 tons of scrap metal at its Beckett Street Terminal for tenant Camden Iron & Metal.
   “Export recycled metals activity began to rise last year as the economy began to slow, as has been the trend. But with over 50 years experience working at the port, it is unique to see a U.S.-flag ship call,” said Joseph A. Balzano, the port’s executive director. “The impact of a weak U.S. dollar, China’s expanding trade and a struggling U.S. economy are slowly changing our business. Customers may find chartering U.S. flag ships more competitive these days.”
   The 610 foot-long, U.S.-flag bulk carrier is owned by Tampa-based U.S. United Ocean Services, formerly known as Teco Transport and when it was an affiliate of Tampa Electric Co. Teco Transport was sold to Greenstreet Equity Partners last December and renamed.
   According to the port, Camden Iron & Metal has been moving scrap, or recycled, metals across the docks in Camden for 40 years. Their best year in export business was 1991 where more than 1.2 million tons of scrap metal was shipped out. SJPC handled 910,000 tons in 2007 and 740,000 in 2006.