South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) handled a record number of containers in October, marking its third busiest month in port history.
SC Ports reported 9 per cent container growth year-over-year as 256,879 TEU moved through Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal, and Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal in October.
When accounting for boxes of any size, SC Ports handled 142,276 pier containers last month.
Imports remain strong, with 121,305 loaded import TEU coming through the Port of Charleston, up nearly 13 per cent from last October.
The authority said this sustained growth was mainly driven by strong consumer demand and a growing Southeast population.
READ: SC Ports digitises berth planning with Portchain
“Our excellent teammates and maritime partners seamlessly handled record cargo volumes in October,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said.
“We have maintained berth availability and terminal capacity since early May, making SC Ports the only major East Coast port without ships waiting to access our terminals.”
“As an owner-operator port, we are investing strategically in port infrastructure and deploying creative solutions to keep freight moving,” added Melvin.
“We continue to efficiently move cargo for our long-time customers – including many automotive manufacturers – while attracting new business and investment from cold storage facilities, solar panel importers, furniture distribution centres, mega retailers and e-commerce sites.”
In October, SC Ports received $550 million in state funds for a near-dock rail and an inner-harbour barge operation.
Some $400 million will go towards for the rail yard and $150 million for the barge operation.
