South Carolina Keeps Up Criticism of Savannah Harbor

South Carolina not in favor of Savannah Harbor

President Barack Obama delivered this month good news for the Port of Charleston, but it wasn’t enough to soften South Carolina leaders’ stance against the Savannah harbor deepening. 

The White House named both Charleston and Savannah harbor deepening projects among five to be completed ahead of schedule. The initiative aims for the federal review process and Record of Decision to deepen the Savannah River from 42 feet to 47 to be done by this November. It also calls for the federal reviews for the Port of Charleston’s plans to deepen from 45 feet to at least 50 feet to be done by September 2015. 

But a top critic of Georgia’s harbor expansion was unmoved. 

“There are serious concerns with what the Savannah port wants to do on the South Carolina side,” said Leon Stavrinakis, a Charleston Democrat serving in the S.C. House. 

Among those concerns: That cadium-tainted dredge spoils will contaminate Jasper County shores, that the dissolved-oxygen injection system won’t keep fish alive, and that saltwater will contaminate fresh water. 

“And those are not abated by the fact that the Port of Charleston, which is a much easier and more sensible project for the government to undertake, is going to move forward in an expedited way,” said Stavrinakis. 

With the expanded Panama Canal to be completed in 2014, ports are racing to prepare for larger container vessels. A rivalry between ports is nothing new. 

What’s special between South Carolina and Georgia’s relationship is that they share a river that opens onto the ocean. That brings unique regulatory interactions, debates over water rights and legal tangles. What Georgia does to the river affects South Carolina’s coastal communities, and vice versa. 

“Our goal is not to beat up on Savannah,” added Stavrinakis. “But we’re not going to promote Savannah at the expense of South Carolina, in terms of business or environment. To the degree we need to fight for both the South Carolina environment and South Carolina business community, we’re going to do that, whether our governor wants to join or not.” 

Does South Carolina risk hurting itself by opposing Georgia’s harbor deepening project, considering that Obama has named it a piece of his infrastructure agenda? 

It’s unlikely, said Leslie Blakey, president and executive director of the Coalition for America‘s Gateways and Trade Corridors, a Washington-based nonprofit trade association. 

“There’s no sense in Washington or among federal agencies of, ‘We’re going to punish them for this.’ I don’t think that is a hazard,” she said. 

As for funding, the S.C. Legislature included $300 million in the state budget to cover the entire estimated construction cost of Charleston’s deepening. 

The American Association of Port Authorities declined to weigh in; as did the White House press staff, when asked if South Carolina’s objections to one of its five nationally significant ports were cause for concern.

Resources provided by SARITA CHOUREY, Bluffton News, “South Carolina Keeps Up Criticism of Savannah Harbor”
http://savannahnow.com/bluffton-news/2012-07-29/sc-keeps-criticism-savannah-harbor

US Army Engineers Approve Savannah's Port Deepening

Georgia Ports Authority: Savannah Ports

 

Governor Deal at Savannah Ports
(Photo: SavannahNow.com)

Savannah Port Deepening receives Approval: A Game Changer in The Harbor Debate 

Image Hotels Savannah Newsletter By Kristen Cole, eCommerce Marketing Director & Kaisa White, Director of Sales.
Date: Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Savannah, GA - It was announced that the US Army Corps of Engineers gave the green light to deepen the Savannah River from 42 feet to 47 feet. Now, the US Army Corps of Engineers are giving the public 30 days to voice their concerns . The opinions of the public certainly vary.  

The economic gains are undeniable. Deepening the ports will continue to make Savannah competitive in International Trade, while improving the flow of goods and providing Georgia Jobs. Sources, such as the state.com, point out that 300,000 of Georgia’s jobs come directly, or indirectly, from the port. However, environmental issues are still a big concern.


Georgia's Governor Deal,  is pushing a sense of urgency all across Georgia straight to the Washington. Deal believes Washington should cover the portions of the funds they originally agreed to, 60% of the project. To avoid a delay in the ports deepening, Deal plans to use Georgia's tax payers dollars to pay a heftier portion of the $653 million dollar project. The ports deepening will allow an increase of container size to enter the ports. This would be nearly three times the size of the containers currently able to transit the Panama Canal. Ultimately, this would allow Georgia to expand their role as a global gateway for commerce. According to the engineers’ report, the nation stands to gain $174 million in annual net benefits. 


In 2014, the Panama Canal expansion is to be complete. The Panama Canal expansion will increase the depth of vessels traveling to, and from, the U.S. East Coast; from 39.5 feet to 50 feet. If the dredging is not progressing by the finish of the Panama Canal expansion, Georgia Ports Authority runs at risk of loosing larger container ships to competitor ports. 


South Carolina lawmakers have been in alliance with environmental groups. The main concerns being discussed are damages to the freshwater marshes and endangered fish. The U.S. Army Corps of engineers recognize the environmental concerns but also want to keep the nation's forth-busiest port competitive. April 28, 2012, it was announced that they are now planning to place river respirators, to help fish breathe, in Savannah's ports.


As the Obama administration weighs all variables, they have to consider South Carolina's current position. Currently, South Carolina is seeking funding and permits to deepen their own harbor. Government funding allocated to the Savannah project diminishes the likelihood of South Carolina receiving Federal funding.  The Record of Decision is expected to be reached by November.   

Georgia Ports Announcing Record Breaking Numbers in March

Image Hotels Savannah Newsletter by Kristen Cole, eCommerce Marketing Director.
Date: Tuesday, May 8, 2012


The Georgia Ports Authority hit record numbers in March 2012, handling 2.37 million tons of freight, breaking the previous record set in October of 2010. 85% of the freight was containerized cargo, breaking April of 2011's record. For the month of March, containerized tonnage grew 8.3%, or 155,308 tons, compared to March 2011.


GPA Executive Director, Curtis Foltz stated, "Record volumes for Georgia's deepwater ports are good news for our region and its economic future." Foltz also stated, "We are cautiously optimistic about continued market recovery that will spur additional manufacturing and distribution opportunities."


In Fiscal Year of 2012 through March, the GPA handled 19.5 million tons of cargo, increasing 280,035 from FY2011.  Of that, 16.5 million tons of cargo, in 2.2 million twenty-foot equivalent container unit, was accounted for by container traffic. The export to import ratio for FY2012 through March, 53.71% to 46.29%.


The total number of vessel calls in March exceeded February's numbers; 203 vessels calls in March, compared to 183 vessels calls in February. 


While the GPA is showing strong numbers in containerized cargo, they are also seeing growth in the auto/machinery units handled at the Port of Brunswick. The Port of  Brunswick is the third busiest U.S. Port. Foltz stated, "The Port of Brunswick is the third busiest U.S. port for auto imports, behind only Los Angeles and Newark." Foltz also commented on the competitive strengths of Brunswick's Port,"Brunswick's diverse carrier fleet, superior location and ample space provide the GPA's automotive clients a vital link to Europe and other global markets."


The Port of Brunswick's 2012 Fiscal year to April 19, handled 388,192 units. Of that, Brunswick's Port handled 57,001 unites, increasing 30% from March 2011 and 79% from March 2010. 


1. "Georgia Ports Hit Record Numbers in March." Georgia Ports Authority.  2012. Georgia Ports Authority. 5 May 2012 <http://www.gaports.com/corporate/tabid/379/xmmid/1097/xmid/6907/xmview/2/default.aspx>.

Israel Consul General Aviran Visits Savannah

Israel's Shipping Company is a Top Carrier for The Savannah Ports 

Image Hotels Savannah Newsletter by Kristen Cole, eCommerce Marketing Director
Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012. 

Savannah,Ga. - Savannah's booming economy warranted a visit from Israel's Consul General Aviran last Friday. During Consul General Aviran's time here in Savannah he took interest in both educational and corporate organizations. 
Most of CG Aviran's trip was planned by Mayor Edna Jackson's office who accompanied CG Aviran during his visit. Consul General Aviran met with leaders from: SCAD, Savannah State University, Gulfstream, Georgia Port Authority, Savannah Visitors Bureau, The Savannah Economic Development Authority, and The Savannah World Trade Center. 

CG Aviran toured the Georgia Ports by both foot and boat. This was a unique tour due to current business relationship Savannah Ports has with one of Israel's companies. Isreal is home to a shipping company called ZIM, one of Savannah's top 5 carriers for import and export at the Savannah Port. In the near future Savannah Port executives plan to increase ZIMs production; ZIM provides 30% of their USA business to the Savannah Ports.

CG Aviran visited Gulfstream and was up close and personal with one of Savannah Gulfstream test planes. According to  an article written, CG Aviran Sees Opportunity in Savannah, Savannah has other ties with Israel outside of the current "ZIM Savannah" relationship. Gulfstream Aerospace and Israel Aerospace Industries are currently business partners where IAI produces G-150 and G-180 under the Gulfstream Aerospace Limited Partnership agreement. The Limited Partnership agreement along with Israel's purchase of Gulfstream planes (made in the U.S.) for military purposes has allowed Gulfstream to produce well over $1.5 billion dollars by doing business with Israel. 

Resources provided by billvons.com and atlanta.mfa.gov. 

FDA Commissioner and U.S. Congressman Visit Savannah Ports

Georgia Port Authority: Savannah Ports

FDA Commissioner states we Need More Inspectors for the Port of Savannah

Image Hotels Savannah Newsletter By Kristen Cole, eCommerce Marketing Director
Dates: Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Savannah, Ga. - U.S. Congressman Jack Kingston and FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg met in Savannah, GA to tour the Ports of Savannah. Currently, the port of Savannah is the fourth busiest container port in the country and has an estimated 40% of American poultry exports run through it terminals, according to GPA executive Director Curtis Foltz. Foltz recognizes the importance of GPA and FDA working together. Foltz stated,"The Georgia Ports Authority is working with our federal partners at the Food and Drug Administration to ensure the security and efficiency of the supply chain, in order to provide better service for our customers and safe food for the American public."


"One of the core missions of the FDA is to ensure that the food on our dinner tables and in our school cafeterias is safe to eat," Congressman Kingston stated "That effort includes keeping a watchful eye over the food imports that enter our country through our ports."


With FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg responsibility to make certain proper precautions are taken to ensure all food is properly handled in route to its final destination she recognizes that globalization has multiplied the scale of the FDA's responsibility. Dr Hamburg goal is to assure the ports properly abide by FDA rules and regulations especially larger ports such as Savannah. Dr Hamburg stated, "This year, we expect that nearly 20 million shipments of food, devices, drugs and cosmetics will arrive at U.S. ports of entry." According to Dr Hamburg, "Just a decade ago, that number was closer to 6 million, and a decade before only a fraction of that."

Source: DredgingToday.com

Savannah Port Deepening Benefiting Industrial Growth in Athens Georgia while Pulling the Political Ears of Many Law Makers

 Savannah, GA -- It is no secret that the Ports deepening in Savannah, GA is a major competitive advantage for those companies located in Savannah that are depending on the ports operations for the success of their business. The ports deepening is already having the domino affect benefiting more than just the city of Savannah and its industrial growth. Caterpillar Factory announced it has now chosen the state of Georgia over North Carolina to place their new facility at a location four hours from GA ports in the City of Athens. This new $200 million factory development will bring over 4, 200 jobs once it is all said in done according to Mary Bell, VP of Caterpillar. 

However, not all law makers are enjoying the raft that comes with this new development. This decision has law makers singing the political blues while Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman adds fuel to the Transportation battle. According to Savannahnow.com, Doug Oberhelman stated,"That Transportation Investment Act is critical in making Georgia competitive. We'll work for it, from all of our employees' perspective here in Georgia to help get that passed here this summer." This very comment has some political figures biting at the nips, scared as to what the future may hold. According to Savannahnow.com Patti Pratt wrote to activist Dr. Bill Hudson "I just heard on the radio a snippet from the announcement about Caterpillar, this will make our job of killing it much harder." ... Click for More Insight

Expanding the Port of Savannah is Georgia's No. 1 cargo priority | savannahnow.com

Governor Deal discusses GPA expansion in Savannah, GA.
Photo courtesy of Savannahnow.com

Savannah, GA - Governor Deal discusses the Georgia Port Authority expansion project. Click to see why Deal said "This plan will guide us to invest where we get the biggest band for our buck." Expanding the Port of Savannah is Georgia's No. 1 cargo priority | savannahnow.com