South Caroliner Ports Authority (SCPA) saw steady container volumes in early 2020 and recorded the highest February ever for both cargo volumes and rail moves at inland ports.
South Carolina ports moved 197,214TEU across the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals in February. SCPA has handled nearly 1.64 million TEU in fiscal year 2020, that represents a 4% increase from July to February from the same time a year ago.
As measured by the total number of boxes handled, SCPA moved 110,927 containers in February. The Port has handled 924,526 containers in fiscal year 2020.
Loaded export boxes were up nearly 20% and loaded import boxes increased about 14% over last February, both of which are record levels for that month.
Vehicle volumes are up 26% year-over-year with a total of 149,340 vehicles handled in 2020. The port moved 18,156 vehicles at Columbus Street Terminal in February.
SCPA’s two inland rail terminals both saw record activity in February. Inland Port Greer, located in the upstate, reported 13,749 rail moves in February for a total of 99,920 rail moves in fiscal year 2020, up nearly 18% year-over-year. Inland Port Dillon, located in the Pee Dee, reported 3,068 rail moves in February for a total of 22,893 rail moves in fiscal year 2020, up 22%.
SCPA continues to prepare for growing cargo volumes and larger vessels calling on the Port of Charleston. The Charleston Harbor Deepening Project is on track to achieve a 15.8m depth in 2021.
Work is also progressing on the first phase of the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, set to open in March 2021. The terminal recently reached a major milestone when the last pile was driven into the new 426m-wharf, readying it for neo-Panamax vessels.
