South Carolina Ports Authority's Newsome honored by ag coalition

South Carolina Ports Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Newsome has been recognized as the "Person of the Year" by the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC), the ports authority announced yesterday.

Newsome is the first person in the coalition's history to receive the award. The AgTC recognized him for pioneering a solution to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements by using existing equipment and procedures at the ports authority to verify the weight of containers, according to a press release issued by the ports authority.

"Never has an individual so distinguished himself in a manner that will have such a positive impact on all participants in ocean shipping, shippers, carriers, ports and terminals," said AgTC Executive Director Peter Friedmann.

Newsome was the first U.S. leader to step forward with a solution for the SOLAS requirements, which were implemented July 1. He received the award during the AgTC's recent annual meeting.

SOLAS requires a verified weight before a packed container is loaded onto a ship, according to the International Maritime Organization.