Both inland ports at South Carolina Ports handled a record number of containers in the last year with Inland Port Greer moving 175,873 containers, translating to a 26% year-over-year growth and Inland Port Dillon increasing its volume by 55% to 43,266 boxes.
According to SC Ports statement, the growth at these two rail-served inland ports has driven the percentage of containers moved inland by rail back up to pre-pandemic levels, with 23% of total marine containers travelling by rail during 2023.
“We are proactively investing in our rail infrastructure to support our customers’ growth,” pointed out SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin, who added, “The ongoing expansion of Inland Port Greer will double its cargo capacity, and the future Navy Base Intermodal Facility will provide near-dock rail to the Port of Charleston. When that facility opens in July 2025, both CSX and Norfolk Southern will quickly transport goods to and from our inland ports and onto inland markets throughout the Southeast and beyond.”
SC Ports handled nearly 2.5 million TEUs and 1.37 million pier containers in calendar year 2023, down 11% from the year prior and on par with 2019 volumes. Box volumes were impacted by higher interest rates and inflation, which dampened consumer spending and decreased imports to the United States, especially compared to the retail boom during the pandemic.
“The Southeast remains a bright spot with new investments, business expansions and population growth — all of which demand a reliable supply chain partner,” noted Melvin.
SC Ports also saw strength in other business segments in 2023, with the port handling 204,481 vehicles in 2023, up 3% year-over-year, and more than 302,000 cruise passengers, a 16% increase from 2022.
