Deep water and an active commitment to even more harbor deepening have put the Port of Charleston on the map as a growth hub for U.S. ocean shipping. Despite a sluggish overall economy, container volume through Charleston was up nearly 10 percent in calendar year 2012, while non-containerized freight was up nearly 26 percent. Channel depth of 45 feet at mean low tide already gives Charleston the deepest water in the region, and with a tidal lift the port is able to serve vessels with up to 48 feet of draft. Charleston is not resting on its laurels, however, as it is aggressively planning for further deepening to accommodate the coming surge of post-Panamax ship traffic in coming years.

The Port of Charleston is a success story that the Port is eager to share with U.S. Grains Council delegates at the 10th International Marketing Conference and 53rd Annual Membership Meeting. On hand to welcome delegates to Charleston will be Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. Now in his fourth year at the helm of the Ports Authority, Newsome enjoyed a long career in the ocean shipping industry, serving most recently as president of Hapag-Lloyd (America) Inc. prior to coming to Charleston. The Port of Charleston has also stepped forward as a sponsor of the Council’s meeting, and will host delegates at a closing night gala at the Boone Hall Plantation, an iconic Charleston historic landmark.

Registration is still open for the Charleston meeting. See complete meeting and registration information at the Council’s website, www.grains.org.