Container volume up in Charleston

   The South Carolina Ports Authority said the Port of Charleston handled 123,439 TEUs in April, 7.7 percent more than in April 2011.
   The agency also said breakbulk tonnage at the port was up 57 percent.
   At a meeting of the SCPA board, President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Newsome said he was pleased with progress towards deepening Charleston harbor, noting the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee last month retained $3.55 million for the deepening project’s feasibility study in the 2013 fiscal year, beginning October 1.
   South Carolina’s House of Representatives has set aside $180 million in non-recurring funds for the harbor deepening construction as part of the state budget, currently under review in the Senate. This allocation would cover the state’s 60-percent share of the estimated $300 million cost for construction.
   Last month the South Carolina Senate passed a bill authorizing the state to borrow up to $120 million to complete the project if federal funds are not available. – Chris Dupin