S.C. Ports Authority worked with MSC and other industry partners to fill two, 40-foot shipping containers with critical supplies to assist with relief efforts in the Bahamas. (Photo/S.C. Ports Authority)
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 earlier this month by industry partners in Charleston and loaded on a vessel in Port Everglades. They arrived at the Port of Freeport Sept. 10. 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, Charleston Branch Pilots Association, Moran Towing, 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.
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 187,200 statewide jobs and generate nearly $53 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.
SCBIZtv is part of the SC Biz News family, serving 100,000 high-level business execs throughout South Carolina.
Click for more from SCBIZtv.
