Dear Valued Members & Friends of the Maritime Community, 

The National Health Institute issued a statement during a congressional hearing Wednesday, suggesting the cancellation of mass gatherings and large community events where large numbers of people are within arm’s length of one another.

Following that and guidance from the CDC, and the growing escalation of the Covid-19 outbreak around the world and in the United States, the annual MASC Gala scheduled for March 20, 2020 is now cancelled. We will continue to monitor this situation and work with our vendors to reschedule the event whenever it is possible to do so safely. We expect to reschedule for later this year.

The health and safety of our members and community are of utmost importance to us. Notifications issued by health officials over the past few days make this action the only prudent course for us in the best interest of keeping the Maritime community as safe as possible.

We are heartbroken and know this is a very challenging time for everyone, and appreciate your understanding and support.

FAQ's:

Q: Will the event be rescheduled?
A: We will continue to monitor the situation and select an alternate date when it is safe to do so.

Q: What will happen with my tickets to the MASC 2020 Annual Meeting and Gala?

A: Tickets will be transferred to the alternate date (TBD). Please expect an email communication regarding an alternate date once we have more information to share. Please also be patient, our tiny team of 3 will work through questions as quickly as possible.

Q: I’m a sponsor of the MASC 2020 Annual Meeting and Gala – will my sponsorship automatically be moved to the rescheduled event?

A: Yes, and we will be contacting each of our sponsors individually to confirm details once we have more information. 

Q: How does this impact the Maritime Association?
A: In planning for this event, MASC has incurred a number of costs from vendors that we cannot recoup, but will be applied as credit toward the rescheduled event. For this reason, we are unable to issue refunds for tickets and sponsorships.

Q: What about other meetings at MASC such as Nav/Ops or Board Meetings? 
A: For the months of March and April, any scheduled meetings will be held by teleconference only. The Nav/Ops meetings are cancelled until further notice. 

Thank you for your understanding and support! We expect to have further details and resume business as usual as we monitor the situation further. 

The Team at MASC

Read Full Article Here

Russell D. Johnston, Jr.

Regional Sales Manager

Middle Market Banking

Wells Fargo Bank | 177 Meeting Street | 2nd Floor | Charleston, SC 29401

Office: 843-724-4035 | Cell: 843-437-2521 | MAC D3601-020

russell.johnston@wellsfargo.com

Link to full article:

-- https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/nautical-charts-marine-navigation-joins-the-geospatial-revolution?fbclid=IwAR2eeyiFu8NDwjX7q_aYc_f8oZLFUDks2R9zpVcok0oom7G46P76rD-8Yjk

MSIB 3-11.pdf

View as Webpage SC Ports reports strong cargo volumes in February SC Ports saw record cargo volumes in February. (Photo/S.C. Ports Authority) CHARLESTON, SC – March 9, 2020 – S.C. Ports Authority saw steady container volumes in early 2020 and recorded the highest February ever for both cargo volumes and rail moves at inland ports.   S.C. Ports moved 197,214 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) across the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals in February. SCPA has handled nearly 1.64 million TEUs thus far in fiscal year 2020, from July through February, a 4% increase from the same time a year ago.   As measured by the total number of boxes handled, SCPA moved 110,927 pier containers in February. The Port has handled 924,526 pier containers in fiscal year 2020.   Loaded export TEUs were up nearly 20% and loaded import TEUs were up about 14% over last February, both of which are record levels for that month.   Vehicle volumes are up 26% year-over-year with a total of 149,340 vehicles handled thus far in fiscal year 2020. The Port moved 18,156 vehicles at Columbus Street Terminal in February.   S.C. Ports handled 468,319 pier tons of breakbulk in fiscal year 2020, up 22% year-over-year. The Port has handled 206,050 cruise passengers thus far in fiscal year 2020.   S.C. Ports’ two rail-served inland terminals both saw record activity in February. Inland Port Greer, located in the Upstate, reported 13,749 rail moves in February for a total of 99,920 rail moves in fiscal year 2020, up nearly 18% year-over-year. Inland Port Dillon, located in the Pee Dee, reported 3,068 rail moves in February for a total of 22,893 rail moves in fiscal year 2020, up 22%.   “S.C. Ports maintained strong volumes across multiple business segments in early 2020, with record volumes handled at our bustling terminals in February,” S.C. Ports Authority President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “These volumes are bright spots amid much uncertainty in the global market. While we do expect our volumes will be down in March and April due to impacts from the coronavirus, we anticipate a rebound in May and June to finish the year above plan.”   S.C. Ports continues to prepare for growing cargo volumes and larger vessels calling on the Port of Charleston. The Charleston Harbor Deepening Project is on track to achieve a 52-foot depth in 2021. Work is also progressing on the first phase of the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, set to open in March 2021. The terminal recently reached a major milestone when the last pile was driven into the new 1,400-foot-wharf, readying it for Neo-Panamax vessels.   “We remain focused on executing our vital infrastructure projects, including deepening our harbor and building a new container terminal, to handle mega container ships carrying cargo to support the booming Southeast market,” Newsome said. About South Carolina Ports Authority South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA), established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 225,000 statewide jobs and generate nearly $63.4 billion annual economic activity. SCPA is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet, and the Port is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. For more information on SCPA, please visit www.scspa.com. Media Contact: BROADCAST MEDIA INQUIRIES: Kelsi Brewer Manager, Public and Community Relations SC Ports Authority 843-577-8676 kbrewer@scspa.com PRINT MEDIA INQUIRIES: Liz Crumley Manager, Corporate Communications SC Ports Authority 843-577-8121 lcrumley@scspa.com ### STAY CONNECTED ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

News & Notes   March 12, 2020

Port News

Lowcountry Heart Walk Makes History and Raises $1.2 Million (Who’s On the Move)

China Port Operations Returning to Normal (Freightwaves)

Data Shows Maritime Trade Being Restored (Freightwaves)

Steamship/Pilot

CoronaVirus Could Hold Up Annual Shipping Contracts (Freightwaves)

Coronavirus Snarls Trans-Pacific Shipping and Sends Ripples Through US (WSJ)

After Losing Cargo Ship to US, North Korea Found Another in Vietnam (WSJ)

What Crude Price Collapse Means to Ocean Shipping (Freightwaves)

Wanted: Tankers to Store Oil as Price War Augers Glut (GCaptain)

Bawat’s Ballast Water System  Awarded US Type Approval (Maritime Exec)

Cyber

Digital Container Shipping Assoc Publishes IMO Cyber Security Mandate (GCaptain)

Commerce

Coronavirus Epidemic Exacerbates Metals Glut (WSJ)

SC Automotive Summit (SC Commerce)

PRC Laser Operations Establishing Operations in Charleston County (SC Commerce)

Charleston Composites Establishing Operations in Colleton County (SC Commerce)

Xplor Boatworks, LLC Establishing Operations in Richland County (SC Commerce)

Logistics/Supply Chain

Offshore Oil Sector Slammed by Price Plunge (WSJ)

US Parcel Carriers Slashed Jobs in February (WSJ)

US Service Industries Feel Weight of Coronavirus Uncertainty (WSJ)

Coronavirus: A Lesson in Supply Chain Management (Supply Chain)

Do Robots Mean a Safer Warehouse? (Supply Chain)

News & Notes    March 5, 2020

Port News

In Export Driven South Carolina,  Global Trade Wars Breed Uncertainty (Pittsburgh Gazette)

New Container Deployment System Gets the Thumbs Up (AJOT)

Port of Savannah Expands Mobile Harbor Crane Fleet (Port Tech)

Steamship/Pilot

Historic Capacity Crunch Looms as More Europe-Asia Sailings are Blanked (Loadstar)

Pile Driving Kicks Off Golden Ray Wreck Removal (GCaptain)

Panama Canal Announces Draft Restrictions on Neo-Panamax Vessels (Sea-Trade)

Cyber

TQL Cyber Breach is Latest Example of Industry’s Vulnerability to Hacking (Supply Chain)

Manufacturers Face Cyber Risk (Supply Chain)

Logistics/Supply Chain

Auto Manufacturers Start Flying in Parts as Virus Threatens Supply Chain (WSJ)

China Lifts Import Restrictions on US Farm Goods (WSJ)

Commerce

Coronavirus Craters China Manufacturing Index (WSJ)

Glass, Once the King of Packaging,  Seeks a Comeback  (WSJ)

Makers of Wipes and Hand Sanitizers Step Up Production (WSJ)

SC Strong Economy Masks Pain from Trump’s Trade Wars (CNN)

Please see link below for full details

Port Notice FY2020 - 003.pdf

Marine Safety Information Bulletin

NAVAL PROTECTION ZONE

HAZARDOUS CONDITION-EXPLOSIVE OPERATIONS AT

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON WHARF ALPHA

Cooper River, North Charleston, SC

Joint Base Charleston will be conducting explosive operations at Wharf Alpha on the Cooper River north of Goose Creek from March 9 to March 15, 2020. Mariners are advised a Naval Vessel Protection Zone exists around all U.S. Naval Vessels greater than 100 feet in length. Mariners are urged to use caution while transiting the area.

This MSIB can be viewed at:  https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/charleston

 For questions or concerns regarding this MSIB, contact on scene security assets via VHF-FM Channel 16, Joint Base Port Operations (843) 794-7746, Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843) 740-3184, or the Sector’s 24-hour Command Center at (843) 740-7050.

U.S. Coast Guard MSIB Number: 6-20

Sector Charleston Date: Mar 2, 2020

Waterways Management Division

196 Tradd Street

Charleston, SC 29401

E-Mail: D07-PF-SECTORCHASN-WWM@uscg.mil