CONTAINER VOLUME, EARNINGS RISE AT PORT OF CHARLESTON

CONTAINER VOLUME, EARNINGS RISE AT PORT OF CHARLESTON    Container volume through the Port of Charleston, S.C., totaled 132,000 TEUs in January, a 30-percent increase from the same month in 2002.
   Total container exports rose 31 percent while imports were up 29 percent, according to the South Carolina State Ports Authority.
   For the first seven months of fiscal year 2003, container volume increased 13 percent.
   “Most of this growth came from the North Charleston Terminal, where Evergreen and Mediterranean Shipping Co. are the primary customers. But the Wando Welch and Columbus Street Terminals saw increased volume as well,” the port authority said.
   During the seven month period ending Jan. 31, the port authority’s operating earnings increased 40 percent to $9 million, on operating revenues of $61.3 million.