The Jasper Ocean Terminal (JOT) is a planned deepwater container port that will be built in South Carolina on the Savannah River, about 10 miles (16 km) downstream from Savannah, Georgia. [1] JOT is planned to open between 2035 and 2037. [1] The terminal was originally planned because additional capacity was needed by both the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) and the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA). [2] However, the SCPA transferred its half-interest in the property to Jasper County in 2021. [3] The GPA has until September, 2021, to state whether it will develop the port with Jasper County officials. [3] The SCPA cited differing markets as the main cause for pulling out of the deal. [3]
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The project has been in various stages of planning since 2007 [4] and in 2008 the GPA and SCPA signed an early agreement to jointly build and operate the facility. [5] However, political tensions regarding plans to dredge the river slowed progress, and little money was invested—by 2016 only about $10 million had spent on planning and permits. [6] [1] In November 2015, the ports authorities signed an updated agreement to develop the terminal, [5] and in late 2016 a new round of design work began, with an estimated $100 million cost. [1] In January 2017, the Army Corps of Engineers began the environmental impact statement for the dockside portion of Jasper Terminal. [4] The total cost of building the port is estimated at $4.5 billion. [1]
At full build-out, JOT will cover 1,500 acres, with ten berths. [6] It will be dredged to a 55 feet (17 m) depth, able to accommodate ships carrying as many as 20,000 TEU containers, [6] [1] with an annual capacity of seven million TEUs. [1] Access to the facility will be via a new four lane highway connecting to US Route 17, and rail connections to both CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway lines. [4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Haley urges funding for S.C.-Ga. port project". The Post and Courier. May 1, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
- ^ "Charleston port officials: Jasper terminal 'long-term answer' for SC, Ga". The Post & Courier. Sep 30, 2018.
- ^ a b c Wren, David (May 26, 2021). "SC port looks ahead, sees a new bridge and a bigger North Charleston Terminal". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2021-06-10.
- ^ a b c "Plans for joint Georgia-S.C. container port move forward". Workboat. January 20, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
- ^ a b "Deal to help launch $4.5B Jasper port project S.C., Ga. sign updated terms for 1,500-acre site". The Post and Courier. November 15, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Jasper Ocean Terminal plans on fast track". Business in Savannah. May 2, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2017.