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| Subject: | SOUTH CAROLINA DAILY PORT UPDATE | | Date: | Tuesday, November 04, 2008 | | Priority: | Normal | | Notice: |
URGENT INFORMATION: NONE
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PORT LIMITS/INFORMATION
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Maximum Depths - (Fresh)
Harbor Entrance - 47.0 ft
Main Channel - 45.0 ft
BERTH LIMITS/INFORMATION:
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Current maximum drafts allowed at berths:
Amerada Hess - Max draft of 40'00
Kinder Morgan - berth 1 - 40'00
Kinder Morgan - berth 2 - 40'00
Kinder Morgan - berth 3 - TBA
Kinder Morgan - berth 4 - Max draft 39'00, tide needed for anything
deeper than 36'00 BP - TBA Wando Terminal - Max draft 46'00 - Max BM
187'00 North Charleston Terminal - Max 42'00 - Max BM 187'00 CST - Max
draft 47'00 - Max BM 187'00 Nucor - Max draft 25'00 (movements daylight &
tidal restricted), Max LOA 450', Max Beam 52'
Per pilots - restrictions for Tanker movements:
Drafts of 36'00 or less may transit at anytime Drafts of 36'01 to 40'00 -
window: Start in 1 Hour before low water until 2 hours before high water
Drafts of 40'01 to 41'00 - window: start in 2 hours after low water until
2 hours before high water
Drafts of 41'01 to 42'00 - window: start in 3 hours after low water until
3 hours before high water
VESSEL TRAFFIC:
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HESS - ELKA DELOS - IN 0332/3RD EST OUT 1300/4TH
KINDER MORGAN - BARKALD - IN 1425/1ST EST OUT 1900/4TH
KINDER MORGAN - IOANNIS I - EST IN 1900/4TH
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FEDERAL, STATE & LOCAL FILING REQUIREMENTS:
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96 Hours - advance notice of arrival required by USCG
48 Hours - advance receipt of crew list by Immigration for any vessel
arriving from a foreign port, or arriving coast wise with detained crew.
24 Hours (minimum) - Foreign cargo must have manifest submitted to
Customs & Border Patrol AMS. Bond must be filed for Foreign flag vessels
or U.S.
flag arriving with foreign cargo aboard.
24 Hours - advance notice to Pilots
24 Hours - advance fax of crew list and approved visitors required by
Terminal.
72 Hours - post port call, the Port Authority requires bill of lading
figures for all bulk cargo.
Port Security - All persons doing business within Port Authority property
must have security pass from SCPA.
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NEWS ARTICLES:
Port: Ships, cargo down
By Tommy Howard
thoward@gtowntimes.com
Back in 1732, the Port of Georgetown was approved as a port of entry.
It remains a port today, the oldest continuously-operating port on the
Eastern Seaboard of the United States. But, some of the shippers and
workers are fearful lest the same fate that hit Port Royal befalls the
Port of Georgetown.
Due to loss of shipping in that Beaufort County port, operations
there ceased and the land has been for sale. Shipping in Georgetown so
far in 2008 has only included 19 ships, according to Edwin Jayroe. Of
those, four served ArcelorMittal steel mill, four were for Petco, three
for rock and aggregate, two dredges, two cement barges and other
aggregate. From about 1998 to the early 2000s, about 10 ships a month
used the port. That's now down to about two ships per month. Those ships
used to carry about 1.8 million tons of cargo. Now, it's down to about
500,000 tons.
The steel mill only ships a small portion of its materials by water.
International Paper -- which at one time had its own dock and warehouses -
- does not use the Port of Georgetown at all.
'What can we do?'
Working to be proactive, a group of about 40 "stakeholders" met
Wednesday evening to seek common ground, talk about issues facing the
port and its users and see what might be coming over the horizon.
The Pilotage Commission of the Port of Georgetown is a state entity.
Members are appointed by the governor. Clayton Bull, chairman and his
fellow commissioners invited members of the Georgetown County Economic
Development Commission, Economic Development Alliance, International
Paper, ArcelorMittal Steel, and towing and stevedoring operators and
others to meet at the Quality Inn.
Not always pleasant in the discussion, members voiced their concerns
and heard from Port Director David Schronce that efforts continue to
bring in several major shippers.
Anticipated tonnage
A German company is interested in shipping perhaps 300,000 tons per
year. Schronce and others have been working to recruit that business for
two and one-half years, he said. He was in Munich, Germany in May when he
fell, injured his head and was in a hospital in Austria for five weeks.
He's been back in Georgetown County since the summer but still hasn't
been cleared to return to work full-time. Despite that, he attended the
meeting Wednesday.
He expects that unnamed company to begin using the port by September
2009 at the latest.
"The product the company makes will be new to the area," Schronce said,
and will mean 30 new jobs locally and from 150 to 200 jobs state-wide.
Also, Schronce said, the old salt dome facility is under contract. He
will meet with a representative of a company wanting to use it on Nov. 7
in Charleston. "We should have a contract signed by the end of December,"
Schronce said, and the first ship should be in Georgetown by April 2009.
That business will ship 150,000 tons the first year, 200,000 tons the
second, and 300,000 tons per year for the rest of a 30-year contract.
Holcim Cement, which used the barges mentioned by Jayroe, should have
50,000 tons by the end of this year, Schronce said. That will grow to
300,000 tons by the third year. "Don't tell me we're sitting around doing
nothing," Schronce said. "There's not a port in the state that gets more
community service and support than Georgetown."
"Every port in the United States is down seven percent or greater.
Unfortunately, we suffered a major setback with the steel mill." Schronce
said before a previous owner filed for bankruptcy and closed operations
for about a year, 950,000 tons of product were shipped on an annual
basis. "We don't expect to see that back, but we would like to get some
of it," Schronce said.
There's a lot of other cargo he and others are actively pursuing.
Also, a support and interest group -- the Propeller Club -- used to
be quite active in Georgetown.
"I'd give anything to have that started back again," Schronce said. "The
problem is, people quit coming. If we can rekindle that, it would be a
great thing. We've got to have community participation."
International Paper
Marlon Jones is business unit manager for the Georgetown Mill of
International Paper. He's been here for about 18 months, he said. He'd
like to use the warehouse at the port for holding "fluff" product until
it can be sent to Charleston, Wilmington or Savannah.
Federal maritime regulations won't allow that, Schronce said. That's
considered domestic shipping. "I don't make the rules, but I have to
enforce them."
Jones said he can't tell the shipping companies where to send their
vessels. He said he has to get the product to where the ships are to load
if for overseas shipments.
For some in the group of stakeholders who are unfamiliar with
shipping regulations and terminology, the discussion about regulations
was confusing. Schronce and Jones both expressed willingness to meet
again.
Right now, however, IP is paying "well in excess of six figures," Jones
said, in honor of its lease agreement on the warehouse.
Port support
James Sanderson, president of United Steelworkers of America Local
7898, said he's always been supportive of the port operations and he
would like to see ArcelorMittal, IP, 3V and others sit down, throw things
on the table and see how they can work together to increase tonnage and
help save jobs.
A candidate for Georgetown County Council in next Tuesday's election,
Sanderson didn't shy away from having the floor to make a pitch for
people's votes in the election.
Later in the meeting, Georgetown City Councilman Brendon Barber said "For
20 years I've been a card-carrying longshoreman. As the Port of
Georgetown goes, so goes Georgetown."
"I'm here to learn and offer my support," he continued. "I'm not looking
for your votes. I'm not running for anything. It's not about a political
thing. It's about an economic thing."
"As a community," Barber continued, "we have to get together and develop
a relationship. This is a great port."
Turning to Jones from IP, Barber said he and the City of Georgetown
are will to do "whatever we need to do to get this thing back together."
Dan Scheffing, chairman of the county's Economic Development
Commission, said "We are linked inextricably with the port. We are in
support of David and his efforts."
Dan Stacy, chairman of the private business Economic Development
Alliance, said his group supports the efforts of the county's Economic
Development Commission (EDC). In their efforts to make the Alliance more
viable, members have been seeking a project or goal. Stacy suggested
supporting the Port of Georgetown is something the Alliance will do. "We
can offer relationships, political assistance," Stacy said.
Sarah Luadzers of the county's EDC said she and her director Wayne
Gregory support and work with the port.
Help needed
Some of the support that Schronce could use for the port would be
with help in dredging and maintenance of the harbor and Winyah Bay.
That's an ongoing need, and much of the funding for dredging is allocated
based on the tonnage using the port.
Another area that Schronce talked about Wednesday is in permitting. A
company based in Albany, N.Y. is interested in using the Georgetown port.
Just before he left on the trip to Munich, Schronce said, he talked with
the state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) about a
permit the New York company needs in order to do business in
Georgetown. "I was told yes, the permit looks great. No problem,"
Schronce said. After his accident and the delays that caused, Schronce
said, he called the New York company to see how things looked.
"The prospect said DHEC kicked the application out the door. They
won't tell us why." Schronce told the people at the meeting, "I don't
want anything in my back yard that would be harmful. I have turned down
some other products. What they would be bringing in here from Germany
would be spotlessly clean."
The prospect has reapplied.
"We need the local community to support the permitting process." "We
don't need anything in Georgetown to ruin the atmosphere. It's a
beautiful town. I'm not doing anything to do that," Schronce assured the
group. "I was just floored."
The prospect paid $27,000 for the permit application, went through
nine revisions, and DHEC still denied it.
"This is a vessel every 12 days," Schronce said.
Meet again
Steve Strickland, one of the members of the Pilotage Commission and
president of Earthworks, summarized what he heard from these and other
speakers. Federal maritime restrictions are limiting domestic
shipping. "Maybe we need to get our Congressmen involved," he said. "We
are all here to make a living and keep the area economically thriving."
Another issue Strickland said is DHEC permits. "To me, that's almost
shocking. If you do what the regulations say, they have to give you the
permit." Strickland worked for DHEC and its Office of Ocean and Coastal
Resource Management (OCRM) before opening his own company, so he said
he's familiar with DHEC's permitting process. "These particular issues
are hindrances on the port. Let's figure out if there is another
solution. If there's some type of obstacle that ties the port's hands, we
need to get rid of it," Strickland said.
Hopeful
Other efforts that many in the group found hopeful include assignment
of Brad Strobel as terminal manager for the State Ports Authority. He
will be working with Schronce in the Georgetown office.
Bruce Campbell with ArcelorMittal is raw material sourcing manager. He
said the company is shipping 100,000 tons into the Port of
Wilmington "simply because the product is so dry and dusty. We don't want
to unload it in Georgetown."
In Wilmington, he said the port is not so close to the downtown area
as in Georgetown. If there was a way for local sources to help with about
$100,000 to $150,000 in "remediation" efforts and equipment, Campbell
said, "we could get some of that (tonnage) back in. It costs me about $40
a ton to move material from Wilmington to here. It's economics. It's got
to make sense. ArcelorMittal wants to use the port."
His company spent a lot of money on dredging and terminal tackle.
"We're talking about bringing scrap into Georgetown. But, you guys
have got to understand IP's business and our business."
Mid-November meeting
On Thursday, Strickland sent out an e-mail recap to people who were
at Wednesday's meeting.
"That was the most people I have ever seen attend our meetings, and I
believe the turnout reflects the importance of the Port to our community.
This meeting was the first of many steps in bringing back economic
vitality to our community through the Port, and I have received the
commitment of many organizations and individuals to continue this effort
and grow this precious resource for our future," Strickland wrote.
Another meeting will be held in mid-November. There will be discussion of
setting up a steering committee with members from each of the groups, and
Strickland suggested each one bring specific information on how the group
can work together.
"We are also going to need some help with each group educating us on
the issues they see that limit our ability to prosper, specifically:
1. What restrictions are created on domestic shipping under the Jones Act
and how we can seek relief
2. What types of problems are being encountered with environmental
permits through SCDHEC?
3. What logistical issues are out there regarding our major industries in
Georgetown and what could increase their port activity?
4. What funding may be available to install pollution control equipment
for new shipping of DRI?"
Strickland said he will announce the next meeting date soon.
==================================================
CURRENT ISSUES
11/6 - 1200 - MEMORIAL SERVICE - MARITIME MEMORIAL DAY
FUTURE/ONGOING ISSUES:
11/11 - 1145 - CWIT LUNCHEON MEETING ON US / CHINA TRADE
11/18 - 1000 - SCSPA BOARD MEETING
11/21 - SAVANNAH PROPELLOR CLUB OYSTER ROAST 12/10 - CHARLESTON PROPELLOR
CLUB HOLIDAY PARTY
01/25-27 - GA FOREIGN TRADE CONVENTION
2013 - ETA FOR NEW CHARLESTON PORT TERMINAL TO BE COMPLETED
-----------------------------------------------
CURRENT HURRICANE ALERT STATUS - 4
SEAPORT SECURITY ALERT CURRENTLY AT YELLOW/ELEVEATED - MARSEC 1
============================================
Tides for Charleston (Customhouse Wharf) starting with October 6, 2008.
Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
/Low Time Feet Sunset Visible
Tu 4 Low 5:14 AM 1.3 6:41 AM Rise 12:20 PM 29
4 High 11:54 AM 5.4 5:26 PM Set 10:41 PM
4 Low 6:17 PM 1.4
W 5 High 12:03 AM 4.6 6:42 AM Rise 12:55 PM 37
5 Low 6:05 AM 1.4 5:25 PM Set 11:40 PM
5 High 12:45 PM 5.3
5 Low 7:08 PM 1.4
Th 6 High 12:59 AM 4.7 6:42 AM Rise 1:26 PM 47
6 Low 7:04 AM 1.4 5:24 PM
6 High 1:40 PM 5.3
6 Low 8:00 PM 1.2
F 7 High 1:58 AM 4.9 6:43 AM Set 12:38 AM 57
7 Low 8:08 AM 1.3 5:24 PM Rise 1:55 PM
7 High 2:34 PM 5.3
7 Low 8:53 PM 1.0
Sa 8 High 2:56 AM 5.2 6:44 AM Set 1:38 AM 67
8 Low 9:12 AM 1.1 5:23 PM Rise 2:23 PM
8 High 3:28 PM 5.4
8 Low 9:44 PM 0.7
Su 9 High 3:51 AM 5.6 6:45 AM Set 2:40 AM 76
9 Low 10:13 AM 0.8 5:22 PM Rise 2:52 PM
9 High 4:20 PM 5.5
9 Low 10:33 PM 0.3
M 10 High 4:44 AM 6.1 6:46 AM Set 3:44 AM 85
10 Low 11:10 AM 0.5 5:21 PM Rise 3:23 PM
10 High 5:11 PM 5.6
10 Low 11:22 PM 0.0
Tu 11 High 5:35 AM 6.5 6:47 AM Set 4:51 AM 92
11 Low 12:05 PM 0.2 5:21 PM Rise 3:58 PM
11 High 6:01 PM 5.7
W 12 Low 12:11 AM -0.3 6:48 AM Set 6:03 AM 97
12 High 6:26 AM 6.8 5:20 PM Rise 4:40 PM
12 Low 12:57 PM 0.0
12 High 6:51 PM 5.7
Th 13 Low 1:00 AM -0.5 6:49 AM Set 7:17 AM 99
13 High 7:17 AM 7.0 5:19 PM Rise 5:29 PM
13 Low 1:49 PM -0.1
13 High 7:42 PM 5.7
F 14 Low 1:51 AM -0.6 6:50 AM Set 8:31 AM 99
14 High 8:10 AM 7.1 5:19 PM Rise 6:28 PM
14 Low 2:42 PM -0.1
14 High 8:34 PM 5.6
Sa 15 Low 2:42 AM -0.6 6:50 AM Set 9:39 AM 96
15 High 9:04 AM 7.0 5:18 PM Rise 7:35 PM
15 Low 3:35 PM 0.0
15 High 9:29 PM 5.5
Su 16 Low 3:36 AM -0.4 6:51 AM Set 10:39 AM 90
16 High 10:01 AM 6.8 5:18 PM Rise 8:47 PM
16 Low 4:29 PM 0.2
16 High 10:28 PM 5.3
M 17 Low 4:32 AM -0.2 6:52 AM Set 11:29 AM 81
17 High 11:00 AM 6.5 5:17 PM Rise 9:58 PM
17 Low 5:26 PM 0.4
17 High 11:30 PM 5.2
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MARINE WEATHER FORECAST:
TODAY
N WINDS 20 TO 25 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 KT...DIMINISHING
TO 15 TO 20 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 KT IN THE LATE MORNING AND
AFTERNOON. SEAS 6 TO 8 FT...SUBSIDING TO 5 TO 7 FT LATE. A SLIGHT
CHANCE OF RAIN.
TONIGHT
N WINDS 15 TO 20 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 KT. SEAS 5 TO
7 FT. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN.
WED
N WINDS 15 TO 20 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 KT... DIMINISHING TO
10 TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 5 TO 7 FT... SUBSIDING TO 4 TO
6 FT IN THE AFTERNOON. SCATTERED SHOWERS.
WED NIGHT
N WINDS 10 TO 15 KT. SEAS 4 TO 5 FT...SUBSIDING TO 3
TO 4 FT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
THU
N WINDS 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING NW 5 TO 10 KT IN THE
AFTERNOON. SEAS 3 TO 4 FT.
THU NIGHT
W WINDS 5 TO 10 KT. SEAS 3 TO 4 FT... SUBSIDING TO 2 TO
3 FT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
FRI
SW WINDS 10 TO 15 KT. SEAS 2 FT...BUILDING TO 3 TO 4 FT. A
SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
SAT
W WINDS 10 TO 15 KT. SEAS 3 TO 4 FT...SUBSIDING TO 2 TO 3 FT.
A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
| | Notice posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 | |
Disclaimer
For quality assurance purposes please note well that while the above information is regularly vetted for accuracy it is not intended to replace the local knowledge or expertise pertaining to port conditions of our marine operations personnel. Port précis should always be verified by contacting the corresponding marine department of a particular location for the most up-to-date information.
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