South Carolina ports benefit from renewed export log trade with China

THE first shipment of southern yellow pine logs left the Port of Charleston's Wando Welch Terminal for China, the first log shipment in more than a year since the trade ban on South Carolina or Virginia logs was provisionally lifted earlier this year.

Twenty containers carrying 800 logs are part of a pilot programme with the Chinese government to restore limited log trade following month-long negotiations between the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Chinese government over pest control.

"South Carolina's forestry industry is a major driver of exports from our port, whether paper, wood pulp or logs," said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority, which owns and operates the Port of Charleston. "China is a rapidly expanding market for southeast logs and lumber, so reopening the trade boosts volume at the port and supports jobs across the logistics industry."

The Port of Charleston hosted Chinese government representatives in April for a demonstration and discussions, which resulted in the resumption of log exports under a pilot programme which requires more stringent sampling and fumigation.

The logs shipped this week were sourced from the Walterboro area and exported by Garley Forest Products, a Mississippi company that recently established facilities in the Charleston area to take advantage of the Chinese pilot programme.

Garley president Leigh Allen said the pilot programme means additional steps to prepare the logs for export, but that it is worth it to reopen the log trade with China to add to its exports to India and Vietnam. Mr Allen said: "It's a great opportunity for the landowners in the Southeast, especially near the deep-water ports that serve the Far East."

By producing more Southern pine logs than the local mills demands, export market demand from Asia particularly in the construction escort where hardwood is too brittle can help balance the supply and demand picture, he added.

"The key to getting it done was working closely with the regulators at USDA to make sure the protocol was followed correctly. They were a huge help." Mr Allen also said SCPA personnel were instrumental in getting the trade going again.

South Carolina state forester Gene Kodama praised the reopening of trade to China. "If landowners grow more wood in response to expanding markets and manufacturing, the forest industry will surpass its US$17 billion economic impact and its number-one status regarding job numbers and wages paid. And, the result will be an improved economy and environment for South Carolina."