April 12, 2012 - 01:18am
Reactions to Corps' announcement on Savannah harbor deepening
STAKEHOLDERS REACT TO CORPS’ DECISION
While sentiment predominantly positive, jury still out in some S.C. and environmental circles
Wednesday’s release of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ long-awaited final reports on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project — or SHEP — prompted reactions from as far away as Central America and as close as the Garden City Terminal docks. Following is a sampling:
• “Considering the importance of the Port of Savannah and its Savannah Harbor Expansion Project in the logistics chain and in shipping via the all-water route, we look forward to seeing their infrastructure project completed and continuing our partnership.” — Panama Canal Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta
• “This project threatens to harm forever one of our country’s most valuable natural resources, the Savannah River, at great cost to the American taxpayer. We will be examining the Corps’ studies to make sure that the interests of the Savannah River and taxpayers are heard loud and clear.” — Chris DeScherer, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center
• “Under the SHEP project it creates some 30-mile-long, single-lane channel at depths that would not make it feasible to build a Jasper Ocean Terminal. We’ve concluded for that terminal to be successful, you need dual-lane traffic of at least a depth of 50 feet, which I believe is completely possible. Most of the issues involving the SHEP project are the 16 miles from the Jasper site to the Garden City Terminal.” — S.C. State Sen. Larry Grooms
• “As one of the leading exporting firms of U.S. poultry and meat products, we depend upon the Port of Savannah’s strategically located facilities to reach our global markets. Achieving this historic milestone in the deepening of the Savannah River enables U.S. companies to successfully compete internationally. Ours is a price-sensitive global industry and the deepening will facilitate economical transport of products to customers worldwide. It means the difference in USA goods, producers and workers being able to fulfill international customer needs.” — Stephen Isaf, CEO, Interra International Inc.
• “The Savannah Port is critical infrastructure as we work to attract new business investment and jobs to the South Carolina lowcountry. Being prepared to accommodate post Panamax ships in Savannah is a job-creation game changer for this region.” - Kim Statler, Executive Director, South Carolina LowCountry Economic Alliance
• “There’s no other port (for mega ships) like Savannah where they’ve developed a long circuitous river route to get up to the port, not in the last 200 years. In fact, three of the biggest ports in world — Shanghai, Rotterdam and Haiphong — had river ports and when they realized they had to cater to big ships they built new ports on the ocean.” - Steve Willis, president of the board for the Center for A Sustainable Coast and chair of the Sierra Club Coastal Group.
• “In a nod to environmental concerns, the corps today announced that the river could be deepened to just 47 feet. That 1 foot difference is significant as East Coast ports race to dredge their harbors in preparation for a wider and deeper Panama Canal. A rule of thumb is that for each additional foot of depth, shippers can load on cargo vessels an additional 100 cargo containers. The Port of Charleston is seeking the go ahead for its plans to dredge to at least 50 feet.” — S.C. Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell
• “The deepening of the Savannah harbor is a critical step to ensure competitive access to the Southeastern U.S. for our industry, and we are encouraged to see this action taken by the Corps of Engineers.” — Al Gebhardt, vice president, North America Liner Operations, Maersk Line Agency
• “We’re still very concerned with the ‘iron lungs’ and the impact they’ll have. And we’d like a regional impact analysis that’s looking at other ports. You do look at the massive amount of money that has to go into deepening. It’s taxpayer money, and you think, ‘does this still make sense?’” — Tonya Bonitatibus, Savannah Riverkeeper
• “The No.1 priority of the Georgia Chamber is to grow our state’s competitiveness, and few projects are more important to that mission than deepening the Savannah Harbor. Once completed, this project will secure Georgia’s position as a global gateway — supporting the export of domestic products worldwide and facilitating the receipt of goods to be distributed throughout the nation. As the state’s leading business advocacy organization, our Chamber has supported the Savannah Harbor deepening project since its inception and we will continue to do all that we can to assist the Georgia Ports Authority as they work to bring this project to fruition.” — Chris Clark, President & CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce
• “The study released today clearly shows that the deepening of the Savannah port will produce powerful economic benefits to the nation and to Georgia.” — Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal.
• “This has been a model of collaboration among a wide array of stakeholders — at local, state, and federal levels. It has been a great pleasure to be on this team as it worked diligently through difficult issues to come up with a plan that balances the complex engineering, economic, and environmental aspects of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. It is an impressive achievement.” — Maj. Gen. Todd Semonite, commander, Corps of Engineers’ South Atlantic Division
• “Today’s announcement brings to an end 15 years of exhaustive due diligence. With this important step forward, we are closer to putting in place infrastructure that will create economic opportunities across many industries and state lines. Companies relocate to and expand in the Southeastern United States knowing that the Port of Savannah is the fourth busiest and single largest container terminal in the U.S.” — Alec Poitevint, chairman, GPA board
• “The Port of Savannah is a vital part of the supply chain for Target and many other companies. The announcement that Savannah’s harbor deepening has taken an important step toward construction is great news for the U.S. economy, Target and our guests.” — Rick Gabrielson, director of International Transportation, Target and president of the Coalition for Responsible Transportation
• “We are pleased to see the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project continue to proceed. The success of the port is critical to jobs in our county and surrounding areas. We hope to see this project completed as soon as possible and ultimately, we very much want to see a successful port of our own in Jasper County to compliment the ports of Savannah and Charleston.” — Samuel Gregory, chairman, Jasper County Council, S.C.
• “This is good news for ILA members and their families who live in both Georgia and South Carolina. Deeper water will keep us competitive and make it possible to deliver economic opportunities to the men and women of the waterfront.” — Willie Seymore, President, International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1414
• “The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is significant because it makes the movement of time-sensitive goods and materials more efficient and provides reduced time-to-market costs. Because of this unique connection between the City of Memphis and the Port of Savannah, the Greater Memphis Chamber applauds this milestone in the deepening process and encourages the timely completion of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.” — Dexter Muller, Senior Vice President, Greater Memphis Chamber
• “This is great news for our region. We know that companies considering moving to the Southeast are paying close attention to this process. They will be encouraged today by this crucial next step for our country’s single largest container terminal.” — Steve Grable, Senior Vice President, Jones Lang LaSalle
• “The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is an important part of continuing the growth of Georgia’s current and future industries. At Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, we’ve experienced the value of this port firsthand and realize how critical of a resource this is for the state. This project will benefit KMMG and our suppliers, which combined, employ more than 10,500 in this region alone.” — J. Randy Jackson, vice president of human resources and administration, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc.
• “The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council continues to be a strong advocate and supporter of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. It’s no coincidence that Savannah is America’s single largest gateway for poultry exports and that Georgia is the nation’s leading producer of chicken. The strategic location of the Georgia Ports has helped to empower Georgia to be one of the largest exporters of poultry, benefiting the entire U.S. industry. The importance of the Savannah Harbor Expansion project was made apparent during our recent international marketing conference in Panama. We saw firsthand the importance of the canal to global commerce. The Port of Savannah needs to be ready for the post-Panamax containerships as they begin transiting the Canal. As 96 percent of our consumers live outside the United States, to miss this opportunity would be unthinkable.” — James H. Sumner, president, USAPEEC
• “As one of the largest exporters in the United States, the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is critical to Caterpillar by providing world class infrastructure to a cost effective and high velocity port. Like other needed transportation infrastructure investments in the United States, this project is crucial in providing supply chain efficiencies that create jobs and enable us to remain competitive in world markets.” — Tom France, Director, Global Transportation, Caterpillar
• “The Savannah harbor deepening project is critical to the economic well-being not only of Georgia, but of the entire Southeast. Norfolk Southern is greatly encouraged to see this action taken by the Corps of Engineers. Completion of this project will contribute substantially to maintaining a vibrant and competitive port in a key region of our country.” — Dr. Robert E. Martínez, vice president, business development, Norfolk Southern Corporation
• “The Georgia Ports Authority’s Savannah Harbor Project is a great example of enabling efficient global supply chain solutions for the future. We look forward to seeing this infrastructure project come to fruition as it will increase capacity and support expansion, significantly benefitting shippers, the freight community, and U.S. commerce.” — Bill Clement, Vice President, Intermodal, CSX Transportation
• “When the Panama Canal is completed in 2014, it is critical that the East Coast be prepared to serve larger vessels. The efforts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Georgia Ports Authority to advance its deepening project in Savannah is good news for commerce and international trade. For the U.S. to become increasingly competitive in the international marketplace it is critical that we deepen our harbors.” — Jerry Bridges, Chairman of the Board, American Association of Port Authorities
• “Global shippers, such as retailers and manufacturers, will migrate to the most efficient and expedient options as a matter of necessity, so the Savannah port expansion is absolutely critical for Georgia to maintain its standing as one of the world’s most important shipping corridors for the years to come.” — Mark Holifield, senior vice president, supply chain, The Home Depot
• “As one of the largest customers of the Port of Savannah, we support the port’s efforts to improve the efficiency of port operations. With the completion of the SHEP, Lowe’s will be able to get products to our customers faster and more efficiently.” — Mike Mabry, Executive Vice President, Logistics and Distribution, Lowe’s
• “A vibrant, modern port that can meet the current and future demands of ocean-going commerce is critical to the state’s forest product industries. That is why the Georgia Forestry Association signed on as a SHEP Ally. The economic well-being of many Georgia communities and thousands of Georgia jobs depend to a great extent on access to global markets for Georgia timber and forest-related products. Deepening the Savannah Harbor must be a priority and the citizens and businesses of the state must step up and do their part to keep one of the state’s most robust economic engines growing.” — Steve McWilliams, president, Georgia Forestry Association
• “A crucial project for the competitiveness of the U.S. took a major step forward today. The deepening of the Savannah harbor is critically important for our company and all companies engaged in global trade.” — Terry L. Bunch, director, Logistics and Customer Service, Rayonier
• “Congratulations to the Georgia Ports Authority on this momentous announcement. International Paper depends on our port partners to help facilitate our export program. Infrastructure improvements such as the SHEP project are key facets in this strategy. This announcement gives us the confidence that the Savannah port will be there for International Paper far into the future.” — Vito J. Ciaccia, Director, International Distribution Operations, International Paper
• “We are very pleased to see that needed investments in port infrastructure such as SHEP are moving forward. The deepening of our ports to accommodate larger vessels that offer more cost efficient movement of cargo and economies of scale will continue to help drive costs from the supply chain and further support our ability to sustain growth in our exports.” — Fred Cox, International Logistics, JBS, USA, Swift Beef Company, Swift Pork Company & Pilgrim’s
• “As Volkswagen AG continues its quest as the world’s No.1 auto manufacturer, Volkswagen Group of America will continue growing here in the Southeast. The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project will provide not only VW but other manufacturers the access of larger vessels as well as supply chain enhancements for one the fast growing industrial regions in the United States.” — Fabio Freccia, General Manager of Logistics, Volkswagen Group of America
• “The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is a critical component of increasing the efficiencies of our country’s supply chain infrastructure by leveraging the economies of scale associated with the larger vessels transiting the Suez Canal today and the Panama Canal in 2014.” — Stephen W. White, Chief Logistics Officer, Dollar Tree, Inc.
• “Eastman Chemical Company is excited to hear about the next, significant step in harbor deepening efforts for the Georgia Ports Authority. In order to remain competitive for shipments into export markets around the world, this project needs to be finished as soon as possible. Bigger ships mean less per unit cost which will allowt both exporters and importers to remain competitive in today’s global markets.” — Klaus Schnede, manager, marine, air and facilities procurement, Eastman Chemical Company
• “CMA CGM is pleased to announce our support on behalf of the GPA in their efforts to deepen the Savannah River channel in order to accommodate larger new generation class container vessels.” — Frank J. Baragona, President, CMA CGM (America) LLC
• “MSC welcomes the news of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Plan. We need deep water at all U.S. Ports to handle the vessels that are already calling today on the East and Gulf Coasts to insure that we have an efficient and cost effective transportation network for our industry, the Southeast region, and the nation.” — Christopher J. Parvin, vice president, marine operations, Mediterranean Shipping Company
• “As a major exporter of goods manufactured in the Southern United States, we are pleased that the Savannah River expansion will allow Savannah to remain a vital port for both inbound and outbound shipments. Enabling the larger class ocean vessels of the future will ensure the port remains both competitive and relevant in our global economy.” — F. Gray Carter, vice president, purchasing & logistics, Buckeye Technologies Inc.
• “Today’s announcement marks a vital milestone in the ongoing process of deepening the Port of Savannah. This project is critically important to ensure Savannah is able to accommodate global shipping traffic once the expansion of the Panama Canal is complete in 2014. This would bring more jobs and businesses not just to Georgia, but to the entire Southeast.” — U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss
• “I am delighted to see the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project continue to move forward with today’s milestone. Preparing the Port of Savannah for the vessels of the future is absolutely critical to our economy at both the state and national levels, and I will continue to do all that I can to see this project through to its completion.” — U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson
• “The Port of Savannah is already a strategic national interest that has promoted economic growth across our country. Expanding our harbor is critical to ensuring its continued vitality for generations to come by laying the groundwork for tomorrow’s economy today. After more than 12 years and the most comprehensive environmental study by some of the country’s leading experts, we know we can expand safely. The expansion of the Panama Canal gave us a rare opportunity to look into and prepare for the future. We need to make sure we are taking advantage of that chance and not getting left behind.” – U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston
• “We’ve got to get the Savannah port deepened. Deepening this port has been one of my top priorities, because it’s vital for long term job growth in Georgia. I’m happy to see any additional progress for this project, and I’ll continue to work with every member of Georgia’s delegation to see that we complete this project.” — U.S. Rep. John Barrow
• “This important step moves us ever closer to ensuring that the City of Savannah, the region and our entire country have the infrastructure we need to compete globally in this new century. A deeper Savannah Harbor brings in more business, creates more jobs and is good for the hundreds of local companies that rely on the imports and exports of the country’s single largest container port. We are excited and are looking forward to this becoming a reality.” — Savannah Mayor Edna B. Jackson
• “The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is arguably the most critical economic development project for the Southeastern United States. The Coastal Empire and Lowcountry of South Carolina are dependent on the ongoing success of this port for sustaining employment and creating new opportunities. Today’s announcement is welcome news and we look forward to project construction being underway later this year.” — David Paddison, Chairman, Savannah Economic Development Authority
• “The Savannah area business community has been waiting for this day for a long, long time. We finally get to see the results of a lengthy, $41 million study process in which every interested party had a chance to address their concerns over the last 15 years.” - Trip Tollison, COO, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce
• “Stratford Land is a big believer in the Georgia Ports Authority and the deepening of the Savannah Harbor. Through projects including Westport, Northport, and RiverPort, Stratford has invested $100 million in industrial parks in Chatham County, Georgia as well as Jasper County, South Carolina. This important recommendation from the Army Corps moves us closer to ensuring that our country and region will have the infrastructure we need to compete globally in this new century.” — David Moore, Director of Investments, Stratford Land
• “The Savannah River Pilots are pleased to see the project move another step closer to construction. The SHEP will enable more efficient movement of all vessels that call the port by reducing the tidal restrictions around which we operate. This deepening is critical to ensuring our port’s future success as the vessel fleet calling the East Coast becomes larger.” — Thomas Browne, Jr., Master Pilot, Savannah Pilots Association
• “As both an importer and exporter, a competitive and cost effective port would continue to enable us to export raw materials and import finished quality food in and out of the United States, which is key for success in today’s global economy. The American consumer is the ultimate beneficiary, consuming quality foods and affordable prices.” — Ulises J. Carrillo, vice president, global logistics, Dole Food Company, Inc.
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