Beaufort, S.C.-The South Carolina Ports Authority is preparing Port Royal for conversion to a retail waterfront district with hotels, etc. Under legislation signed two years ago by Gov. Mark Sanford, the property will be sold to a private developer for redevelopment. Yara North America is one of three businesses the state has been working with for more than two years to end existing leases – the others are Royal Cement and Port Royal Drystack. A Yara spokesman said the company would prefer not to comment because of ongoing negotiations.