Posted on October 28, 2021
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Major ports across the country are dealing with delays and shortages, but that is not the case for South Carolina Ports Authority.
SC Ports has seen record volume since March.
“The Hugh Leatherman Terminal, we just opened in the spring, and it was just in the nick of time really with the added infrastructure and five additional cranes,” said Joel Britt, senior director of operations.
Leaders with the South Carolina Ports Authority said their infrastructure is what enabled them to keep up with volume and meet demand through the pandemic.
“These are the tallest cranes that we have at 169-foot lift height so we are well prepared to handle additional capacity which is much needed in the supply chain right now,” Britt said.
The Hugh Leatherman Terminal, which sits directly across from the busier Wando Welch Terminal, gives the ports more capacity.
During the pandemic, the ports saw a shift in goods coming into the terminals because more people were working from home. The shift in buying habits was seen in the goods coming into the ports.
“During the pandemic a lot of people were sitting at home doing zoom calls so they wanted to change their background, maybe buy some new furniture so we felt that in the supply chain, in furniture, home goods, appliances,” said Kelsi Brewer, the general director of public relations and digital media.
Ports officials say they are always growing with more capacity and more services, and that means more goods in Charleston.
“We will look to add additional capacity to Hugh Leatherman Terminal,” Britt said. “Over here it will be phase two. We will begin that as needed so we are looking to improve the rail aspect and navy base intermodal facility.”
We asked the port about holiday shopping. They say if there is something you really want, make sure you buy it early.
