Maersk Line announced that it has reached an agreement with the South Carolina State Ports Authority to maintain services in the Port of Charleston beyond the conclusion of the current 2010 contract. This agreement brings a close to several months of negotiations and represents a reversal of Maersk Line’s decision to depart Charleston announced late last year. The agreement establishes a new contract through December 31st 2014 and places Maersk Line’s cost structure in Charleston on a level playing field with other ocean carriers who use the port.

Mr Dana Magliola spokesman for Maersk Line said that "Under the new agreement, Maersk Line will maintain a competitive position within the Port of Charleston. This will allow us to continue to provide a reliable service for our valued customers in South Carolina, a benefit to the economy both in Charleston and throughout South Carolina."

Working from a smaller, dedicated portion of the Wando Welch Terminal, Maersk Line will continue to offer our customers across the globe a reliable, committed service at the Port of Charleston.

Mr Gordon Dorsey SVP of operations for Maersk Line in North America said that "We have worked closely with the leadership of the South Carolina State Ports Authority since we initially voiced our concern about cost competitiveness for Maersk Line within the Port of Charleston. We are pleased to have reached an agreeable solution for both Maersk Line and the Port of Charleston. Overall, this agreement was achieved through the cooperation and hard work of many stakeholders, but we particularly appreciate the efforts of Mr Jim Newsome and Mr Paul McClintock of the South Carolina State Ports Authority, South Carolina State Senator Larry Grooms, who as Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, along with Senate President Pro Mr Tempore Glenn McConnell and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mr Hugh Leatherman, played a crucial role in keeping the talks alive and fostering a second round of discussions that resulted in today’s agreement."

This agreement will continue a long, successful relationship between Maersk Line and the South Carolina State Ports Authority. Combined with other regional Maersk Line services and port offerings, this agreement ensures that Maersk Line will continue to offer a broad portfolio of reliable, industry leading transportation products to and from the United States Southeast region.