South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) Board approved the most aggressive investment plan in the agency's history, reports abcnews4.com.

The Board approved the SCPA's budget for the 2013 fiscal year, which starts July 1.

"This aggressive investment plan for our ports mirrors the significant investment of our state toward realizing the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project," said SCPA Chairman Bill Stern.

SCPA President and CEO Jim Newsome, also  provided the Board an update on Charleston's harbor deepening project, describing that he is "extremely pleased" with recent progress.

"This project has a high degree of recognition," he said.  "We are in a time when the urgency of improving ports and harbors is understood by all levels of leadership."

SCPA ensures that South Carolina has the tools to strengthen the economic growth and job creation.

Furthermore, the budget plan calls for an increase in personnel.

Source: World Maritime News