| Just as all public officials and most South Carolinians, I recognize the need and support the expansion of our State's ports. The current facilities will reach capacity in a few short years, and more space will be needed to accommodate larger ships and their cargo if we are to maintain our competitive edge.
It seems to me that the big question is where and how should the ports expand. This issue has been wrangled over publicly for many months now, but I feel we are closing in on a viable and compelling solution.
By the year 2020, estimates are the Charleston port will serve between 14 and 17 cargo ships daily, at least doubling the seven ships that currently call each day. To meet this anticipated need, a Global Gateway encompassing 660 acres for storing containers was proposed. As plans have evolved, expansion in the Charleston area has been revised downward to only 200 acres of container yard. This at best means there will be need for further expansion well before 2020 in order to keep our ports competitive. It seems clear to me that further expansion cannot be accomplished in the Charleston area.
I believe this new Charleston area expansion proposal should be supplemented by a 400 to 500-acre inland port and intermodal facility at the intersection of I-95 and I-26. I believe the ideal site is in the SW quadrant just inside of Orangeburg County at the Dorchester County line. The site is near U.S. Highways 178 and 78, and has access to the old Southern Railroad that runs through St. George and up to Branchville.
This is the kind of development I had in mind four years ago when I secured $10 million in federal funds for infrastructure improvements at the I-95/I-26 interchange. My intentions were for that money to be used to facilitate the construction of surface roads needed to access the site. I believe Orangeburg County will be pleased to apply some of the $8.2 million it has received from the tobacco settlement towards this project. And I stand ready to do more than my fair share in the future to bring this effort to fruition.
This concept is working extremely well in Virginia. That state has operated the VIP (Virginia Inland Port) in Front Royal since 1989. Orangeburg County officials and a member of my staff have visited that facility and are confident its success could be replicated in South Carolina.
I believe constructing an inland port at the intersection of I-95/I-26 makes good sense economically, environmentally and aesthetically. Our Ports Authority will enhance its competitive edge and our State's businesses, economic developers and citizens will reap the benefits for many years to come.
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U.S. Congressman 
