A group of local students received a unique behind-the-scenes look at the SC Ports Authority operations after winning a contest to name four newly added ship-to-shore cranes at the Wando Welch Terminal in Mount Pleasant.
Contest and Winners
Kindergarten through fifth-grade students from Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester County public schools submitted names for the new cranes. Over 450 entries were received, and SC Ports crane operators selected the winning names. Five students were recognized with plaques and $500 to support their schools.
Terminal Tour
The winners toured the terminal with family members, teachers, and school principals. Wearing hard hats and fluorescent safety vests, the students viewed the towering cranes and learned about port operations, including cargo types ranging from tennis shoes and helicopters to foreign waste.
Community and Family Connections
For fifth grader Kyndal Chisolm, the experience was extra special. Her father, Cordell Chisolm, has worked at the port for 32 years. Kyndal’s chosen crane name, “Coastal Claw,” reflects her family’s love for the coast and crabs.
SC Ports’ Mission
SC Ports President and CEO Micah Mallace said the contest aims to spark interest in the maritime industry and inspire students. The Wando Welch Terminal, the authority’s largest cargo terminal, handles roughly 80% of the state’s container volume. The four new cranes join 15 total and are slightly larger than existing cranes, with a 155-foot lift height and 212-foot outreach.
Lasting Impact
The students left the tour with memories of a one-of-a-kind experience. Their chosen names will remain displayed on the cranes, celebrating their creativity for years to come.
