The SC Ports Authority (SCPA) announced volume increases across all business segments in 2013, a year marked by the successful opening of the Inland Port and significant progress of both the construction of the Navy Base container terminal and the Post-45 harbor deepening project.

In calendar year-end results presented at the authority's regular Board meeting, container volumes measured in 20-foot equivalent units were up 5.7 percent from 2012 to 2013, with over 1.6 million TEUs handled during the year. Breakbulk cargo also grew during the period, increasing 3.3 percent over 2012 volumes.

Midway through the SCPA's fiscal year that began July 1, the port has seen a 5.4 percent increase in TEUs over the same period last year, and container volume remains slightly over plan. SC Ports handled 124,103 TEUs in December.

Cargo at Georgetown is up 20 percent fiscal year to date, with 302,242 total pier tons moved so far. Business at the Port of Georgetown is currently up 8.7 percent over plan for the fiscal year.

"We typically see a modest first quarter of the calendar year followed by a stronger second quarter, and we expect 2014 to follow a similar trend," said Jim Newsome, SC Ports president and CEO. "Much of our growth from April to June will be impacted by developments in export business and the implementation of the mega-alliance deployments by ocean carriers, if and when approved."

In addition to cargo volume growth in 2013, containerized rail shipments at SC Ports grew 18 percent last year, a 50 percent increase since 2011. Those shipments now represent about 16 percent of overall port volume, driven largely by a successful implementation the port's RapidRail drayage program that includes participation by all major carriers.