In 2003 the Port of Charleston, S.C. was the world’s 42nd largest – and the fifth largest in the nation. Today? Charleston has surrendered its coveted spot on the world’s top fifty ports list to its closet rival, the Port of Savannah.
Don’t believe us? Take a look at the data for yourself …
Savannah is now the world’s 42nd largest port, according to the number of TEUs (or twenty-foot equivalent units) it handles on an annual basis. Charleston? It’s not even on the list anymore.
Who does South Carolina have to thank for this? Astoundingly, it’s our own governor …
After promising to do a better job competing against Georgia, S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley instead hand-delivered a major competitive advantage to its government-run port in 2011. This infamous “Savannah River Sellout” not only paved the way to Georgia’s taxpayer-funded port expansion plans, it killed off any chance of building a public-private port facility in Jasper County, S.C. – home to the last remaining deepwater port location on the Eastern Seaboard.
In other words rather than letting the private sector create jobs in her own state, Haley obligated her state’s taxpayers to subsidize a government-run port expansion in a competing state.
Wow …
In exchange for this flagrant betrayal of our state’s economic interests, Haley received financial support from Georgia donors as well as a prime time speaking slot at the 2012 Republican National Convention.
Amazing, isn’t it?
Anyway, Haley’s sellout was unanimously rebuked by the S.C. General Assembly – and overturned by the S.C. Supreme Court – but the damage was done.
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18 comments
Thank you Governor Haley!!! You have made our port # 1. We appreciate all of your efforts on our behalf and look forward to your continued help and support!!!!
We love you in Georgia Governot!!!! You are the best money can buy! We will contribute to your re-election!
We need you to be re-elected there in SC, so we can have two Governors representing us in Georgia!!!
Thanks again!!!!!
There is an edit button Fandango. You don’t have to post to yourself to show your screw-ups.
Vincient, is that you again?
Thank you Governor Haley!!! You have made our port # 1. We appreciate all of your efforts on our behalf and look forward to your continued help and support!!!!
We love you in Georgia Governot!!!! You are the best money can buy! We will contribute to your re-election!
We need you to be re-elected there in SC, so we can have two Governors representing us in Georgia!!!
Thanks again!!!!!
There is an edit button Fandango. You don’t have to post to yourself to show your screw-ups.
Vincient, is that you again?
Breaking news – Governor Haley has traded Jadeveon Clowney to the Georgia Bulldogs for a year’s supply of peaches. They are calling it the best deal since FDR’s New one.
Breaking news – Governor Haley has traded Jadeveon Clowney to the Georgia Bulldogs for a year’s supply of peaches. They are calling it the best deal since FDR’s New one.
Does Sic Willie still think that he and his bud carpetbagger Davis are still going to get their Jasper port? I realize that it would have meant $$ to you, but I believe that ship has sailed.
Does Sic Willie still think that he and his bud carpetbagger Davis are still going to get their Jasper port? I realize that it would have meant $$ to you, but I believe that ship has sailed.
Sorry kids, yo mama is a big booty ho.
Sorry kids, yo mama is a big booty ho.
Does this really surprise anyone? The intermodal upgrades in Savannah are impressive. The highway from Savannah to I-95 is state of the art since the late 1990’s. I-26 from Charleston to I-95 is inadequate to handle cargo movement. I-26 from I-95 to Columbia is cracking, crumbling and sorely needing to be striped. Rail access to Charleston? An agreement was reached late last year for ONE rail yard. Not encouraging. Personally, I avoid Charleston due to poorly maintained and inadequate I-26. The stretch, from Columbia to North Charleston should be at least 6 lanes if not 8 to handle shipping cargo and population growth. I-95 is no better. I needs to be expanded.
Does this really surprise anyone? The intermodal upgrades in Savannah are impressive. The highway from Savannah to I-95 is state of the art since the late 1990’s. I-26 from Charleston to I-95 is inadequate to handle cargo movement. I-26 from I-95 to Columbia is cracking, crumbling and sorely needing to be striped. Rail access to Charleston? An agreement was reached late last year for ONE rail yard. Not encouraging. Personally, I avoid Charleston due to poorly maintained and inadequate I-26. The stretch, from Columbia to North Charleston should be at least 6 lanes if not 8 to handle shipping cargo and population growth. I-95 is no better. I needs to be expanded.
I am glad…send those convoys of dangerous, 18 wheelers away from Chucktown! The Mark Clark Expressway is a parking lot loaded bump-to-bumper with big rigs…Charleston lacks the highway infrastructure to support a larger port…send those 18 wheelers loaded with Chinese crap destined to Walmart down the road, please…526 doesn’t need more traffic fatalities due to buzzing truckers…
I am glad…send those convoys of dangerous, 18 wheelers away from Chucktown! The Mark Clark Expressway is a parking lot loaded bump-to-bumper with big rigs…Charleston lacks the highway infrastructure to support a larger port…send those 18 wheelers loaded with Chinese crap destined to Walmart down the road, please…526 doesn’t need more traffic fatalities due to buzzing truckers…