CHARLESTON, SC — On June 9, 2022, the South Carolina Ports Authority reported a milestone achievement with a new record in container handling at the Port of Charleston, continuing its streak of exceptional service to clients.
The Port of Charleston saw its 15th month in a row of record-breaking cargo volumes in May, propelled by a steady influx of retail imports. There was a significant 18% increase in loaded imports for May compared to the same month the previous year.
In May, the ports at Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal, and Leatherman Terminal processed 255,104 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), showing an impressive increase of nearly 11% over the previous year. From July through May of the fiscal year 2022, the SC Ports have handled approximately 2.7 million TEUs, marking a 15% rise compared to the prior fiscal year.
Additionally, the ports processed 141,823 pier containers, representing a 10% increase from May of the previous year. Since the start of fiscal year 2022, nearly 1.5 million pier containers have been moved, a 14% increase from the previous year.
Jim Newsome, CEO of SC Ports, highlighted the collective efforts of the SC Ports team, the maritime community, and logistics partners in improving berth and terminal efficiency amidst ongoing supply chain disruptions. He noted the adoption of innovative strategies to facilitate shipping, including prioritizing berth for vessels removing more cargo and the introduction of over 1,000 chassis from the new SMART Pool fleet.
In May, the Columbus Street Terminal handled 17,549 vehicles, and the Inland Port Greer and Inland Port Dillon combined reported 16,202 rail moves, a 19% increase from the previous year. The inland ports enhance the efficiency of moving goods from the Port of Charleston to inland destinations via rail.
Inland Port Greer experienced a remarkable month, with 14,344 rail moves, up 27% from the previous year. Efforts to expand the inland port’s capacity and rail capabilities continue, including a significant addition of 2,600 feet of processing rail track, enabling better access for gantry cranes and adding 4,800 feet of rail car storage to accommodate longer trains.
Newsome emphasized the strategic investments in port infrastructure aimed at anticipating and meeting customer demand. Expansions at Inland Port Greer, increased utilization of Leatherman Terminal, and the construction of near-dock rail facilities at the forthcoming Navy Base Intermodal Facility are steps towards ensuring long-term capacity and operational fluidity.
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**The information contained in this blog post is subject to the disclosures set forth here.