The Maritime Association of South Carolina (MASC) is a member-based trade association which connects the Maritime Association industry and entities who support maritime commerce. The MASC serves as a platform for information dissemination, collaboration and partnership within its membership. The MASC advocates for issues impacting the industry and serves to advance, promote and protect the interests of the maritime community across South Carolina.

MASC is governed by a Board of Directors representative of every segment of the maritime commerce transportation sector.   As a member-based organization, MASC operates on a committee system. In addition to our Board of Directors, MASC encourages member involvement through our Events, Finance and Workforce Development committees. We host a monthly Navigation/Operations Meeting, at which businesses and government agencies share real time information and updates, forming ad-hoc committees as needs arise. Committees have worked on and advocated for issues related to distribution centers, operations, harbor deepening and maintenance dredging, maritime security, new terminal development, and infrastructure to name a few. 

MASC also hosts several signature annual events including the Maritime Open Golf Tournament,  a Fall Social and an Annual Meeting & Gala. 

The Chucktown Showdown Paddleboard Race is scheduled to take place on Saturday September 28, 2019 from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The race course is located near Folly Beach County Park between the Folly Beach pier and Bird Key. Approximately 150 race participates are expected.

All 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, please contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843) 740-3184 or the Sector’s 24-hour Command Center at (843) 740-7050.

MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND HERE.

Port News

SC Port Reports Record Cargo Volumes (Metro Columbia CEO)

Dillon, Other SC Ports Handling More Cargo (SC Now)

Proposed Georgia, SC Terminal Operator Agreement Withdrawn (Freightwaves)

Steamship/Pilot

COSCO Tests North Sea Route (Port Tech)

Maersk Tankers is Negotiating the Acquisition of Seven Chemical Tankers (Shipping Watch)

Global Container Shipping Fleet  Hits 23M TEU in Capacity (SeaTrade)

Tanker Operators Look to US to Replace Saudi Oil Cargoes (WSJ)

Keeping Your Eye on Containers in Global Circulation (Freightwaves)

Capsized Golden Ray Leaking Oil in St. Simon Bay (GCaptain)

Odfjell CEO on Chemical Tanker: We Are in the Early Stages of Recovery (Shipping Watch)

Truck/Rail

What Will Drive Change Over the Next Decade? (Progressive Rail)

Cyber

US Coast Guard Flexes Cyber Muscles (WSj)

Supply Chain/Logistics

The Changing Role of the Freight Forwarder (Maritime Exec)

C.H. Robinson Worldwide to Double Spending on Freight Technology (WSJ)

New Amazon Facility Opens in Charlotte, 850,000 square feet  (Charlotte Observer)

How Resilient Buildings Drive Resilient Supply Chains (Supply Chain)

Commerce

This Company is Flooding the US With Tariff Appeals (WSJ)

E-Commerce Fulfillment Specialist Deliverr Adds $23M in Funding (WSJ)

CHARLESTON, SC — Sept. 13, 2019 — A group of port and maritime industry partners came together to send critical supplies to the Port of Freeport on Grand Bahama Island following Hurricane Dorian. The hurricane wreaked havoc on the Bahamas. Thousands had their homes destroyed and thousands remain without electrical power or running water. Essential services are impaired, and many transportation routes are inaccessible. Access to food, water and household goods is limited. MSC Group — one of the world’s leading container shipping and logistics conglomerates, as well as the parent company of MSC Cargo, the world’s second largest container line — requested assistance from major industry partners to quickly fill two, 40-foot shipping containers in Charleston, S.C., with critical supplies to send to the Port of Freeport. Maritime partners, including S.C. Ports Authority, filled the shipping containers with over 200 gas generators, tarps, gas cans, canopy tents, power cords, extension cords, batteries, water, toiletries, baby wipes, diapers, cleaning supplies and other related items. The containers were filled Saturday through Monday by industry partners in Charleston and loaded on a vessel in Port Everglades Monday night. They arrived at the Port of Freeport Tuesday morning. The goods are already being distributed. “Despite our global presence and large-scale operations, MSC is ultimately a family company and we are fully committed to supporting both immediate and longer-term relief and recovery efforts in the Bahamas,” said Fabio Santucci, Managing Director MSC USA. “MSC’s extensive land and sea operations and services, our regional knowledge and our gracious partners have allowed us to quickly mobilize to collect and deliver these items of necessity. Together with our charitable arm, the MSC Foundation, we are continuing to work closely with local officials, community leaders and key relief and recovery organizations in the Bahamas to identify additional ways in which our MSC Group can support the immediate and long-term needs of the local residents and businesses as they look to rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.” MSC runs the Freeport terminal as a major transshipment hub through a joint venture with their subsidiary, Terminal Investment Ltd., and Hutchison Ports. A group of industry partners contributed to the effort of collecting and sending supplies: South Carolina Ports Authority, U.S. Maritime Alliance Ltd., DCLI, South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District - International Longshoremen’s Association, Virginia Ports Authority/Virginia International Terminals Inc., Port of Miami/Miami-Dade County, Port of Houston Authority, TICO Tractors, Stevedoring Services of America, S.C. Stevedores Association, Maritime Association of South Carolina and Container Maintenance Corp./CMC Logistics.  “In Charleston, we understand the devastation a hurricane can have on entire communities,” S.C. Ports Authority president and CEO Jim Newsome said. "After seeing Hurricane Dorian’s distressing impacts on the Bahamas, we wanted to take action and send crucial supplies in the hopes of providing some relief.” Supplies were purchased from Costco and Lowe's, with their extensive cooperation.   MSC, along with its partners, sent a total of 18 containers filled with supplies, including the two containers filled in Charleston. Additional contributions are being sought so that more aid can be provided. Those interested in supporting this effort should contact Chris Parvin or Jim Newsome.

Port News

SCPA, Industry Partners Send Supplies to the Bahamas (Charleston CEO)

Groups “Skeptical” of Savannah Oxygen Injector Test (AP)

Georgia Plans to Double Capacity (World Cargo News)

UK Announces Major Green Maritime Plan (Port Tech)

Steamship/Pilot

Mediterranean Shipping Company and Port Partners Aid Bahamas Following Dorian (Moultrie News)

Spot Rates in Free Fall, Consider Cancelling Voyages Without Notice (Loadstar)

JP Morgan Says Shipping Loans Will Only Go to Clean Vessels (WSJ)

Ship Technology Market Could  Be Worth $278B by 2030 (Lloyd’s List)

Golden Ray a Tourist Attraction (American Shipper)

Time to Make Nation’s Shipyards, Merchant Marine Great Again (Prof Mariner)

Truck/ Rail

Mack Trucks Planning Temporary Layoffs (The Morning Call)

Old Dominion Freight Line Announces Service Center Expansion (AJOT)

Logistics/Supply Chain

Oil Prices Log Historic Rally After Saudi Attacks (WSJ)

Infrastructure Destruction Stymies Logistics for Bahamas Relief (Freightwaves)

Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities Spark Supply Worries (WSJ)

Maersk Launches Customs Navigator (Port Tech)

Global Supply Chain Startup Funding Over $12B For the Year (Supply Chain)

Commerce

China to Exempt US Soybeans, Pork From Punitive Tariffs (WSJ)

China Seeks to Narrow Trade Talks With US (WSJ)

DC Machine Expanding Dorchester County Operations (SC Commerce)

R & E Automated Systems Expanding Spartanburg County Operations (SC Commerce)

Faddis Concrete Products Launching Chester County Operations (SC Commerce)

GE Appliances Expanding in Kershaw County (SC Commerce)

Narenco Establishing Solar Power Operations in Marion County (SC Commerce)

Port News

Rescuers Pull Final Crew Member From Capsized Cargo Ship (WSJ)

Repairs Continue in Charleston Harbor After Hurricane Dorian (Live 5)

Coast Guard Shifts Focus to Salvage Capsized Golden Ray in Georgia (GCaptain)

Steamship/Pilot

Freight Matching Startup Loadsmart dds $19 Million from Maersk, Ports America (WSJ)

Maersk Vessel at Center of UK Biggest Heroin  Seizure (Lloyd’s List)

Container Inspections Reveal Misdeclared Cargo, Poor Stowage (Freightwaves)

Maersk Launches Customs Navigator (Port Tech)

Freight Rates Unaffected by Container Cargo Demand Doubling in July (Shipping Watch)

Truck/Rail

UPS to Hire 100,000 Seasonal Workers for Holiday Period (AJC)

Truckers Slashed Payrolls in August (WSJ)

Norfolk Southern Furloughs Hundreds of Workers (Virginian Pilot)

Commerce

Target Tells Its Suppliers to Handle Tariff Costs (WSJ)

Ethanol Industry Reels as Trade Disputes and Policy Changes Cut Demand (WSJ)

DC Machine Expanding in Dorchester County (SCCommerce)

Logistics/Supply Chain

The Next Hot Job: Pretending to Be a Robot (WSJ)

Dry Bulk Rates are Far Outpacing Earnings and Shares (Freightwaves)

Reefer Availability Will Be Tight Going into Peak Season (Supply Chain)

Responza, LLC is an IT support company specializing in managed IT support, cloud services, and cybersecurity.

We make sure your technology works for you:

• •       Network monitoring and user support
• •       Backup and disaster recovery plans
• •       Office 365 support
• •       Cloud services and support (Azure & AWS)
• •       IT vendor management
• •       Cybersecurity (audits and compliance)
• •       IT project management

Responza provides complete IT expertise to manage your computer operations. With 24/7 system monitoring of all critical systems and applications, we ensure system stability, uptime, and productivity.

Cyber-security is one of the most important aspects of IT network management. We provide complete security packages to ensure your business data is secure and protected.

Our IT management packages include regular, scheduled systems maintenance to ensure all business-critical systems are functioning properly. Emergency support coverage provides a guaranteed 2-hour response to emergencies and our help desk is here for technical and end-user telephone support. For more advanced needs we can create a strategic IT roadmap to help take their business to a new level.

Finally, but especially important for Charleston, we offer complete disaster recovery plans in case of a hurricane hit and flooding. Preparation is the key to providing business continuity.

What regions do you serve?

Responza serves Charleston and the Low Country. Locally we support over a dozen business with services ranging from basic cybersecurity to complete virtual IT support. With offices here in Charleston, we can serve our customers both onsite and remotely.

What might surprise me about Responza?

Although we are first and foremost IT nerds, we have a lot of outside interests. For instance, one of our staff lives on a 100-acre farm raising chickens, horses, and keeping bees. Another member of the staff rides a Harley and plays in a local band. You can catch him every week at one of many Charleston venues. One member donates his time to help the Charleston homeless with the Homeless to Help Fund Charity. A principal of the company is a steak connoisseur. Whether you want good ol’ USA beef, Brazilian, or Japanese Wagyu, he knows where to get and how to prepare the best cuts. One member is a flight simulator enthusiast and is in the process of building a simulated cockpit with a VR headset. We even have someone with a master’s degree from LSU who is a published historian. And of course, we’re online gamers.

How do you attract and retain a dedicated workforce that can support all of your customers’ needs?

Our main offices and support center are located here in Charleston at 201 Gamecock Avenue. We hire in partnership with local colleges and believe that the best way to keep attract and keep great people is to treat them as great people.

Because we may be called on to handle customer emergencies on a moment’s notice, we work hard to provide a supportive and fun atmosphere.  We attempt to enable our staff to have a balanced work and family life while putting in the long hours needed to ensure our customers received the IT support they require. We always put our customers first, and to do that, we treat our staff like family.

What are some of Responza’s proudest accomplishments?

One of Responza’s proudest accomplishments is our ongoing service and support for The Balmer Group, the charitable organization founded by former Microsoft CEO and co-founder, Steve Balmer. The Balmer Group works to support efforts to improve economic mobility for children and families in the United States who are disproportionately likely to remain in poverty. We are thrilled to be a small part of this great effort to support community-led initiatives, partnerships with all levels of government, stronger nonprofits, and the use of data to track progress and measure improvement.

Apparent Winds is the epic circumnavigation of the globe being undertaken by SC natives Tripp Brower and Zach Bjur aboard J. Henry, a 1971 Hinckley Bermuda 40. The two long time friends will set sail from Charleston, South Carolina in November 2019 and return two years later. The expedition will be an exploration of the coastal cultures of our planet looking in to every aspect of their maritime traditions. In addition they will be observing the environmental changes and challenges faced by coastal communities around the world and intend to examine the cultural impacts of both globalization and a shifting climate.

READ MORE

SUPPORT THE JOURNEY

~ See Below For Fun Facts ~

SECTOR CHARLESTON | PORT CONDITION - OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS

Effective 1230 local time, 6 Sep 2019, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Charleston has opened the Port of Charleston with the following restrictions:

1. All deep draft commercial vessel movements must be specifically authorized by the COTP through the Port Coordination Team. Deep draft commercial vessels can submit their requests to uscgsecchasnprev@icloud.com or by telephone to (843) 296-5520. The COTP reserves the right to deny any request.

We continue to conduct port assessments with our partners and will balance the safety of the port with the need to move commerce. There are no current restrictions on recreational or commercial small passenger vessels.

Due to potential effects from Hurricane DORIAN throughout coastal South Carolina, mariners are urged to transit with caution considering the possibility of Aids to Navigation discrepancies or other hazards to navigation. If discovered, please report any of these issues to the United States Coast Guard.

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

For Heavy Weather Advisory Group (HWAG) or waterway specific questions, please contact (843) 331-2384.

For facility and vessel specific questions, please contact (843) 740-3186 or (843) 296-5514.

For maritime related emergencies, please contact the Sector Charleston Command Center at (843) 740-7050.

CLIENT ADVISORY: Hurricane Dorian 2019 Update #4

**UPDATE** WWT, NCT and CST to Reopen at 0700 Tomorrow  WWT, NCT and CST will reopen at 0700 tomorrow, Friday, September 6 for gate operations. Vessel operations at WWT, NCT and CST will begin at 1900 tomorrow.  The vessel schedule will be arranged by the SCPA's berthing office and the Ocean Carriers. Please visit the SCPA website for the for the latest vessel schedule. Inland Port Dillon will reopen Friday, September 6 at 0900. Inland Port Dillon will also be open Saturday, September 7 from 0600-1800.  Inland Port Greer is open and operating under normal hours.  Full details are below.  CHARLESTON CONTAINER TERMINALS (WWT and NCT): Thursday, September 5: Closed.  Friday, September 6: Reopening at 0700 and operating until 1730.  Vessel operations restart at 1900.  Saturday, September 7: Normal operating hours, 0600-1700.  Sunday, September 8: Open, 0600-1700.  CHARLESTON BREAKBULK & RO/RO: Thursday, September 5: Closed.  Friday, September 6: Reopening at 0700 and operating until 1700.  Vessel operations restart at 1900.  INLAND PORT DILLON: Thursday, September 5: Closed.  Friday, September 6: Reopening at 0900 and operating until 1800. Saturday, September 7: Open, 0600-1800.  INLAND PORT GREER: Open and operating under normal hours.  The SC Ports Authority is closely monitoring Hurricane Dorian and will provide operational updates as necessary.