South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) has finished fiscal year 2023 with steady TEU container volumes and stellar activity at its rail-served inland ports.
SC Ports handled almost 2.6 million TEU and 1.4 million pier containers in fiscal year 2023.
While this is down around 10 per cent from fiscal year 2022, when pandemic expenditure fueled a historic transport boom, total volumes are up 1 per cent from fiscal year 2021, a far more standard year.
SC Ports handled 203,091 TEU and 112,883 pier containers in June, an increase of more than 3 per cent year-on-year (YoY).
The retail, sophisticated manufacturing, automotive, and cold storage industries are still driving expansion in the Port of Charleston.
READ: SC Ports suffers 11 per cent monthly container dip
Barbara Melvin, SC Ports President and CEO, said: “SC Ports provides reliable, efficient service for companies’ supply chains. Port-dependent businesses will continue to invest in South Carolina to gain access to a well-run port with capacity in the booming Southeast market.”
Inland Port Dillon had a record fiscal year 2023, processing 39,143 TEU through rail shipments, a 50 per cent increase over the previous year.
Inland Port Greer had a strong fiscal year as well, handling 146,813 TEU, a 3 per cent decline YoY, and the port’s busiest June ever, with 14,887 rail transfers, a 24 per cent rise YoY.
In June 2023, both rail-served inland ports handled record quantities. Inland Port Dillon handled 4,048 TEU, a 139 per cent increase over the previous year.
READ: SC Ports sees volume recovery in April
The cruise industry had a successful year as well, with a record 294,136 cruise passengers passing through Union Pier Terminal in fiscal year 2023.
SC Ports had 188,517 vehicles rolling across its docks in fiscal year 2023, which is a 14 per cent decrease from the year prior.
Melvin added: “In fiscal year 2023, we efficiently moved cargo while significantly expanding our capabilities for the future.
“We broke ground on a near-port, rail-served cargo yard, further expanded Inland Port Greer and successfully deepened Charleston Harbor to 52 feet. Our strategic investments make us more competitive for the future.”
In May 2023, SC Ports registered a YoY dip in volumes, handling 198,824 TEU and 110,834 pier containers.
