Maersk Still Weighing Charleston Options
South Carolina’s effort to keep at least some of global shipping giant Maersk’s business from leaving the Port of Charleston could be bearing fruit – or not.
As it stands now, Maersk is pulling out of Charleston – which means Charleston is losing its biggest customer.
That stunning revelation sent shock waves through the state’s political establishment last December, prompting the firing of the port’s top executive and a no-holds-barred effort by state leaders to keep at least a few Maersk vessels calling on the Holy City.
At least one offer (and counteroffer) have been exchanged by the parties at this point, and after a false alarm earlier this year, sources familiar with the negotiations tell FITS that the South Carolina pitch will be in front of the Danish company’s Board of Directors this weekend in Copenhagen.
A decision is likely to be made next Monday (May 4), although there is no timetable for that decision being released to the public.
A Maersk spokeswoman told FITS that the company “was in the process” of negotiating with South Carolina, but would not elaborate.
Obviously, we’ll keep everybody in the loop on what we discover.
It’s sad that we’re in this situation, but then again our “total state control” approach to managing our port facilities obviously hasn’t adapted very well to the 21st Century economy.
And trust us, between the Ports Authority, Gov. Mark Sanford and recalcitrant lawmakers, there’s plenty of blame to go around for South Carolina continuing to squander her most competitive asset.
Comments
By A. A. Elliott on April 29th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Well SIC…..
Considering that NO ONE seems to be doing the right thing …AT ALL; why in the tarnation would MEARSK care to stay. Heck, from rumors being heard, the WORKERS are ready to leave….anyway!!!
From Mayor Summey and Mayor Riley playing patty cake with the GINN company….(there is not ONE MAGNOLIA TREE anywhere near a BRIDGE to No Where under construction RIGHT NOW….!!!!! As if the I-526 is NOT more important to greater Charleston than what THREE CRANES are doing to how much MARSH…?? The CCL sure is CROWING….?????
From CSX and NS having the financial screws put to them……….
From Santee Cooper and Kinder Morgan workers NOT confronting their BRASS about South Carolina ENERGY instead of bending over to the RAIL LOBBY, COAL Lobby …and above all FOREIGN DIESEL…!?!?!
From the out-right RAPING by DHEC to appease the PEELERS and Waste Management ….at the very RISK of who’s CHILDREN…!?!!
When WOMEN Readers of the POST and Courier really show they CARE about LEADERSHIP….. http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/apr/24/making_case_more_women_as_leaders79845/#comments
WOW……zero comments from ANY female…???
WHEN the Board of Directors sit back and think and reflect to understand; that Governor Sanford, Speaker Harrell, Pro TEM McConnell, Robert Ford……….and JAMES “DJ-Grand Master FLASH” Clyburn are all ….FROM where..????
AND Above ALL…. our states LEADERSHIP is…….going behind their DANISH backs to secure WHAT with WHO….??? Just look at who is leaving certain “SUPPORT” industries and negotiating in direct CONFLICT !!!!!
CSX and NS ….are LIVID !!!!!?? (Well, only certain dumped on minions)
What’s even more revealing is the fact that WHO at the various papers are turning a blind EYE…!?!?!
The last DECADE has cost US ……..dearly !!!!
By lou on April 30th, 2009 at 8:11 am
South Carolina never seems to do ” the right thing” anymore. Everyone acts like they want to personally sabotage our state, the elected, the residents, the businesses, everyone.
By Darth on April 30th, 2009 at 11:09 am
WTF! Why doesn’t the SPA have a few other carriers lined up to take up the berths in Charleston, or do Joe Riley’s bubbas have designs on downtown terminal space for new condos on the river? Something’s still missing here, does is have anything to do wiht SPA heads jumping ship recently?
By Palmetto_Native on April 30th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Maybe the SPA should have focused on its own house…rather than sabatoging the Jasper Port proposal….