South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) saw strong container volume growth during the first quarter of the 2016 fiscal year, with TEU volumes 9.5 percent higher than the same period last year. SCPA handled 167,549 TEUs last month, an 11.1 percent increase from September 2014 volumes. Since the 2016 fiscal year began in July, SCPA has moved 513,299 TEUs. As measured in pier containers, 289,610 boxes have moved across SCPA docks fiscal year to date. Pier container volume is up 8.6 percent from the 266,741 boxes handled during the same period last fiscal year. "Our growth is indicative of broad-based strength across all market segments," said SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome. "While our volumes are likely to see more modest growth than last fiscal year, we expect to continue to experience increases above the U.S. port market average." Noncontainerized cargo was 16.5 percent higher than plan during the first quarter, with 356,746 pier tons handled. In September, Charleston moved 81,137 tons of breakbulk cargo and the Port of Georgetown handled 30,360 tons. The Inland Port achieved 7,214 rail moves in September, bringing fiscal year-to-date volume to 22,103 moves. The facility's strong volumes are 50.5 percent ahead of plan. Board Action The Board approved SCPA's $1.25 million contribution to the Jasper Ocean Terminal (JOT) Joint Project Office for the 2016 fiscal year work plan. The plan, which includes geological studies and conceptual work on terminal design to by Moffat & Nichol, was approved by the JOT Board of Directors on June 17, 2015. The Board approved a contract for construction services related to the containment wall structure at the Navy Base Terminal (NBT), as well as two contracts for independent quality reviews of NBT site preparation and construction activities. A design contract for the Wando Welch Terminal refrigerated cargo yard expansion was also approved. In addition, the Board authorized SCPA to purchase a new forklift for the Inland Port to accommodate the facility's growing cargo volumes.