With Leatherman Terminal back in operation and a rush of imports passing through the Port of Charleston last month, South Carolina Ports’ (SC Ports) September volumes increased 8 per cent year-on-year (YoY).
In September, South Carolina Ports and ILA partners handled 214,558 TEUs and 118,306 pier containers, up 8 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively, over the previous year.
Loaded imports climbed by 14 per cent over the previous year, as shippers moved more goods ahead of the short-term labor strike in early October.
For the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the port handled 638,000 TEUs and 352,803 pier containers, a 5 per cent increase over the same period last year.
READ: SC Ports records over 224,000 TEU in July
SC Ports President and CEO, Barbara Melvin, said: “By delivering reliable, productive and consistent port service, SC Ports strives to be shippers’ preferred gateway to the Southeast.”
The reopening of Leatherman Terminal at the Port of Charleston puts an extra 700,000 TEUs and a 1,400-foot berth back online, providing essential capacity, flexibility, and fluidity to the US East Coast port market.
Since its reopening late last month, Leatherman Terminal has hosted eight ships, including ZIM’s weekly first-in-Asia service.
Melvin added: “This weekly service is the first of many to come, and we celebrate seeing cargo moving through the terminal once again. The reopening of Leatherman Terminal makes our entire port system more competitive in the Southeast port market.”
READ: SC Ports Leatherman Terminal reopens
SC Ports’ two rail-served inland ports continue to provide vital rail connections between the Port of Charleston and interior markets.
In September, Inland Port Greer handled 15,133 rail shipments, up 3 per cent from the previous year. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the inland ports handled 58,289 rail movements, up 6 per cent from the same period last year.