SC Ports Authority Posts 2016 Fiscal Year Volume Increase
The South Carolina Ports Authority reported growth of container volume and breakbulk tonnage at its Charleston facilities and significant increases in rail volume at Inland Port Greer during the 2016 fiscal year that ended June 30.
SCPA said it handled 1.9 million 20-foot industry standard units, or TEUs, during FY2016, an increase of 1.4% over the previous year. As measured in pier containers, or box volume, nearly 1.1 million boxes moved across the docks of the Port's container terminals in FY2016, it said.
“Container volumes this fiscal year were quite moderate compared to last year, reflective of uncertainty and a general slowing of the world economy,” SCPA CEO Jim Newsome said in a statement. “However, import loaded volumes were 5% ahead of last year, marking a bright spot in volume development, and export loaded volumes were flat despite challenging markets.”
He said noncontainerized cargo segments performed well, and SCPA had record-setting growth at Inland Port Greer. Also, it expects container volumes to increase as a result of the upsizing of ships with the Panama Canal expansion.
“Today, 16 of our 26 weekly containership services now employ vessels larger than could pass through the Panama Canal prior to expansion,” he said.
