Ports sees 12th consecutive month of record volume

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The S.C. Ports Authority has moved more than 1.87 million 20-foot equivalent container units in fiscal year 2022, leading to a record 12th consecutive month of record volumes.  

For February, SCPA handled 230,420 TEUs at Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal and Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, up 26% year-over-year.

“With record throughput volumes, we continue to experience a high number of import containers awaiting delivery on our terminals,” said Jim Newsome, S.C. Ports CEO. “We remain focused on creative solutions and executing our vital infrastructure projects, including the completion of the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project this fall, initiating construction on the rail-served Navy Base Intermodal Facility and inner-harbor barge project, and advancing towards a quick completion of the Inland Port Greer expansion project.”

SCPA saw a nearly 46% increase in loaded import TEUs in February, with 119,582 handled. The port attributes this to continued retail imports driving sustained cargo growth. Loaded exports, however, were down nearly 19% year-over-year at 54,755 handled.

“As SC Ports experiences an increasing imbalance, loaded import volumes were more than double loaded export volumes in February,” the port said in the release.

For pier containers, which accounts for containers of any size, the Port reported a 26% year-over-year increase in with 127,492 handled in February. Throughout the fiscal year, the port has moved 1.04 million pier containers, a nearly 16% increase from this time last year.

At Columbus Street Terminal, the total vehicles handled in February were 15,895.

Inland Port Greer and Inland Port Dillon reported handling 10,802 and 2,265 rail moves, respectively.

“Together, with our teammates, broader maritime community and motor carriers, we continue to work through this unprecedented time of supply chain challenges,” Newsome said in a statement. “The strength of our port continues to be in our highly skilled workforce and how we adapt collectively to keep freight moving for our customers.”