South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) registered a year-on-year dip in volumes in May, handling 198,824 TEU and 110,834 pier containers.
According to the port authority, volumes are down roughly 22 per cent compared to the same period the year prior as a result of the tightening economy.
So far in fiscal year 2023, SC Ports handled 2.4 million TEU and 1.3 million pier containers, with additional volumes across cargo business categories also expanding.
This comes six months after it was reported that SC Ports had a record for nearing 3 million TEU in 2022, which was a 1.5 per cent increase over 2021.
Despite a slight TEU decline, SC Ports performed well in other areas.
In May, 20,026 vehicles were processed for global manufacturers at Columbus Street Terminal, a 14 per cent increase YoY.
SC Ports’ two rail-served inland ports, which transfer cargo quickly via rail between the Port of Charleston and interior markets, saw maintained excellent volumes.
Inland Port Dillon had another record-breaking month in May, processing 4,415 rail transfers, a 138 per cent increase over the previous year.
Inland Port Greer also had a strong month handling 14,931 rail moves, up 4 per cent YoY.
Union Pier Terminal saw nearly 26,000 cruise passengers come through, which is an 8 per cent increase from last year.
READ: SC Ports sees volume recovery in April
SC Ports President and CEO, Barbara Melvin, said: “Our amazing SC Ports team and maritime community handle goods every day for businesses and communities throughout the state and beyond.
“Though the landscape has shifted since the pandemic-induced import boom, we remain competitive as a well-run port in the thriving Southeast market,” added Melvin.
“As an owner-operator port, we are customer-focused and efficiently run. We have cargo capacity, a strong infrastructure network, available land for import distribution centres, and the deepest harbour on the East Coast to keep freight moving.”
In November 2022, SC Ports celebrated the rail expansion at Inland Port Greer to support the supply chains of port-dependent businesses in the Upstate.
