S.C. Ports Post 18% Growth for Second Straight Month
The South Carolina Ports Authority posted 18% container growth in February for the second consecutive month, SCPA reported last week.
The authority’s fiscal-year container volume is now 1.23 million 20-foot equivalent units, led by the Port of Charleston, which handled 152,925 TEUs, up 18% from a year earlier.
Since its fiscal year began in July, TEU volume is 14.3% higher than the same period last fiscal year, SCPA said March 16.
“February container volumes were particularly strong for a short month,” said SCPA President Jim Newsome.
“Our import gains are reflective of a strengthening U.S. economy and population growth across the Southeast, while manufacturing in our state and region bolsters our export business. Loaded box volumes last month were nearly completely balanced between imports and exports,” Newsome said.
Measured in pier containers, SCPA moved 86,258 boxes in February, has handled just over 700,000 boxes in the fiscal year to date and plans to surpass the 1 million container mark by the end of the fiscal year.
Its non-containerized business segments remain on track to meet fiscal year financial plans. The Port of Georgetown handled 15,520 tons last month and is 5% ahead of its fiscal-year plan to date.
Breakbulk tonnage levels totaled 58,685 tons at Charleston in February, also in line with the authority’s projections.
Inland Port volumes also saw gains in February, with 4,631 rail moves completed during the month. Fiscal year-to-date, the facility has handled 35,126 rail moves and is nearly 50% ahead of plan.
SCPA’s board also approved a dredging contract for routine berth maintenance at the North Charleston Terminal, where dredging is typically performed every 12 to 15 months to preserve 50 feet of depth at mean low water necessary for large container ships.
The board also approved a design modification to the two super-post-Panamax cranes on order for the Wando Welch Terminal.
SCPA owns and operates seaport facilities in Charleston, Georgetown and Greer, handling more than $63 billion worth of trade annually.
