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In his first State of the Port address, Jim Newsome announced a multi-year contract with the world’s largest shipping line and acknowledged the challenge of his new role. He said the most common inquiry people make to him relates to why he took the job as CEO of the S.C. State Ports Authority.
By Molly Parker
mparker@scbiznews.com
Published Oct. 23, 2009
S.C. State Ports Authority CEO Jim Newsome received a prolonged standing ovation during a Thursday night dinner as he announced a new contract agreement with shipping giant Maersk.
“I cannot imagine running a major port without having Maersk as a prominent customer,” Newsome said. “The good news is that we will not have to.”
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Maersk signs deal to stay in Charleston until 2014.
There was an undeniably optimistic buzz among the nearly 500 people who packed inside the port’s Passenger Terminal for Newsome’s first State of the Port address.
Newsome acknowledged his challenging new role. He said the most common inquiry people make to him relates to why he took the job. Newsome left behind a good gig to move here. He was head of the American division of Hapag-Lloyd, the world’s fifth largest steamship line. The question has been pitched in interesting variations, Newsome said, with some “a little more provocative” than others.
“The best news for all of you is that I really am not as dumb as I look,” Newsome said.
He heaped praise on his staff at the SPA, the private maritime community and the state political leaders who have helped piece together business deals, including the recent big one that landed tire importer TBC Corp. in Berkeley County.
He thanked the S.C. Department of Transportation for jumpstarting a pilot program to increase weight limits for trucks carrying refrigerated containers. Most notably, this could drive up exports of state-raised poultry, drawing back business that is currently leaving via Georgia and North Carolina.
Newsome said he and his team are working aggressively to lure new business in the form of containers, vehicles, break-bulk cargo and cruise ships. He delivered his speech inside the rustic terminal that is the subject of a revitalization plan aimed at putting a shine on the downtown port of call for cruise ships.
He said that the people committed to growing prosperity are the region’s greatest asset. He awarded a close second to Charleston’s naturally deep harbor, which will allow the next generation of larger ships to call on the port without additional dredging work.
Newsome said he will not allow his staff to hang any shortcomings on the tough global economic climate. World trade numbers have taken a three-year backslide, but that’s no excuse for the dramatic business decline that has beset the Port of Charleston in the last two years, Newsome said.
“This is a serious situation with little hope of a fast improvement,” Newsome said. “But it only partially explains our volume development here in Charleston. Our container volumes are at year 2000 levels. I need to be very clear on this — this is not an acceptable situation.”
Despite the spider that crawled onto Newsome’s prepared remarks as he read, the tenor of his speech resonated loudly: There is a lot of work to do, and he won’t settle for not getting it done.
Newsome was introduced by John Hassell, a member of the SPA board and president of the S.C. Maritime Association. Hassell turned over the position to Newsome on Sept. 1, having served as the port’s interim head since former CEO Bernard Groseclose resigned in January.
“We are unsettled,” Hassell said of the port community, “seeking something that will put us on the path to success … Perhaps what we need is someone to stoke the flame.”
For keeping the fire burning in the interim, Hassell was surprised with the Order of the Palmetto award, which is the state’s most prestigious award for civilians. Pretending it was happenstance, his children flew into town for the presentation: “This happens in the Hassell family, like, never.”
“There is honor in the opportunity that was given to me,” Hassell said.
The Propeller Club of Charleston hosted the $95-per-plate dinner. The guest list included a host of politicians, including Gov. Mark Sanford, who ducked out after his attendance was acknowledged. Mike McShane, chairman of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, presented the award to Hassell on behalf of the governor.
U.S. Rep Gresham Barrett, a Republican candidate for governor, said it seems as though people are once again starting to appreciate the role the port plays in economic development. Several big port users are in his Upstate district, including BMW.
“The port is kind of like a fireman,” Barrett said. “You don’t realize how important it is until you need it.”
After acknowledging earlier that he was never good with history, Newsome closed his speech with a subtle suggestion that the maritime community not get caught up in the past.
“Ladies and gentleman, the best years of this great port are ahead of us, not behind us,” he said.
Reach Molly Parker at 843-849-3144.
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