THE port of Charleston has renewed its contract with American-flag carrier Farrell Lines Inc, for three-years. Farrell Lines, which handles containers, breakbulk and refrigerated cargoes, calls at the port of Charleston's Wando terminal every 11 days with service to 40 countries in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Black Sea and Africa. ''The port of Charleston has been a major contributor to Farrell Lines' success in recent years,'' said Mr Jim Bambrick, Farrell Lines executive vice-president. The Wando terminal was an extremely efficient and modern facility - one of the best on the US east coast, he said. Besides serving south Atlantic clients, the line used Wando terminal as a load centre for mini-bridge cargoes from the gulf and west coasts, he added. ''Unlike many of our competitors, we sail directly from Charleston, offering 14-day transit to the Mediterranean,'' said Mr Bambrick. Farrell's continued presence at the port of Charleston provided shippers with important and timely access to trading partners throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, said Mr Duane Grantham, director of marketing and sales at Charleston. Farrell's service at Charleston gives shippers flexibility in reaching southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, he said. In 1945, American South African Line, the predecessor of Farrell Lines, called at Charleston with the Harold A. Jordan to pick up steel products and creosoted pilings destined for France.
