South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) reported 214,558 TEUs in September, up 8% compared with the same month last year. In particular, loaded imports were up 14% from last year as shippers moved more goods ahead of the short-term work stoppage in early October.
For the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 (July-September 2024), SC Ports handled 638,000 TEUs, reflecting a 5% increase from the same period last year.
“By delivering reliable, productive and consistent port service, SC Ports strives to be shippers’ preferred gateway to the Southeast,” commented SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin.
The reopening of Leatherman Terminal brings an extra 700,000 TEUs back online at the Port of Charleston, adding critical capacity, flexibility and fluidity to the US East Coast port market. Since reopening late last month, eight vessels have worked at Leatherman Terminal, including a weekly first-in-Asia service from ZIM. “This weekly service is the first of many to come, and we celebrate seeing cargo moving through the terminal once again,” noted Melvin. “The reopening of Leatherman Terminal makes our entire port system more competitive in the Southeast port market.”
SC Ports’ two rail-served inland ports continue to provide rail service between the Port of Charleston and inland markets. In September, Inland Port Greer handled 15,133 rail moves, up 3% from last year. For the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the inland ports handled a combined 58,289 rail moves, a 6% increase from the same period last year.
SC Ports also saw 15,223 vehicles and 18,149 cruise passengers move across the docks in the previous month.