SC Ports maintains fluidity during record September
South Carolina Ports maintained fluidity for vessels calling the East Coast while handling a record number of containers in September.
SC Ports handled 226,807 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) at Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal and Leatherman Terminal in September, up nearly 11% year-over-year. SC Ports has handled 666,315 TEUs thus far in fiscal year 2023, from July through September.
SC Ports moved 124,963 pier containers — accounting for containers of any size — in September, up 10% year-over-year. SC Ports handled 367,846 pier containers fiscal-year-to-date.
Consumer demand drove this growth. Loaded imports were up 16% year-over-year.
“We have invested in capacity to efficiently handle the cargo flowing into the Southeast port market,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “Our modern port infrastructure, along with our skilled team and maritime partners, delivers much-needed fluidity to the East Coast.”
Real-time supply chain solutions have provided relief for shippers in today’s challenging environment.
To quickly work vessels, SC Ports offers an express lane for vessels with 1,000 moves or less and prioritizes vessels with balanced imports and exports. Hiring more than 150 people in operations and deploying new ship-to-shore cranes further supports berth productivity.
SC Ports also offers a 7-day export receiving window that locks in 11 days before a vessel’s arrival, providing much-needed stability and reliability for exporters.
Additionally, SC Ports offers Sunday gate hours for motor carriers, leases thousands of chassis through its new SMART Pool, and utilizes its two rail-served inland ports to provide fluidity to the supply chain.
“Our talented port team and maritime community are proactively responding to supply chain challenges,” Melvin said. “We are boldly investing in our people, operations and infrastructure to keep freight moving for our customers.”
SC Ports handled 12,747 rail moves at both Inland Port Greer and Inland Port Dillon last month. Inland Port Dillon reported a 12% increase year-over-year, handling 2,380 rail moves.
SC Ports moved 17,112 vehicles at Columbus Street Terminal and accommodated 18,443 cruise passengers at Union Pier Terminal in September.