Imports, inland ports drive 12% volume growth at SC Ports

A 17% increase in loaded imports and strong intermodal cargo movements drove year-over-year container volume growth at South Carolina Ports, marking the most significant uptick this year.

The SC Ports team and maritime community efficiently handled 216,410 TEUs last month, up 12% year-over-year, and 118,481 pier containers, up 11% from last year. The significant container volume boost points to signs of economic strength and a strong market.

“The U.S. East Coast is in high demand for cargo routings, and our strategic location in the booming Southeast positions us well for long-term growth,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “South Carolina Ports offers highly productive, capable and reliable port service to our customers.”

Inland Ports Greer and Dillon moved a combined 18,978 containers in March, an 8% uptick from last year. Rail moves at Inland Port Greer were up 22% year-over-year, with the team handling 16,088 containers filled with goods for advanced manufacturers, solar panel makers, material producers and retailers.

“Our inland ports are performing exceedingly well as we move more cargo by rail than ever before,” Melvin said. “The ongoing expansion of Inland Port Greer will provide more capacity and rail capabilities to swiftly move goods between the Port of Charleston and inland markets.”

For the automotive sector, SC Ports moved 18,001 vehicles in March, up 15% from the same period last year.

“As South Carolina’s economy thrives, we are investing in modernizing our terminals, expanding cargo capacity and building the rail-served Navy Base Intermodal Facility to ensure excellent port service to the businesses that depend on us for efficient port operations,” Melvin said.