Posted on September 17, 2020
Houston — The Port of Charleston moved 208,837 Twenty-Foot Equivalent units (TEUs) in August, down about 10% from 233,110 TEUs in the year-ago period, but still its second highest on record, operator South Carolina Ports Authority said.
Container throughput rose 18% compared with July, reflecting a steady uptick in imports as demand continues to rebound following the coronavirus pandemic-related slowdown earlier in 2020.
“Our August volumes surpassed expectations, reflecting the best year-over-year month [increase] since the pandemic began impacting global supply chains in March,” said South Carolina Ports Authority CEO Jim Newsome, adding: “Our imports are returning to — and at times surpassing — pre-pandemic levels as consumers invest in more goods for their homes and families.”
The port is set to welcome the 15,072-TEU CMA CGM Brazil later in September, the largest ship to ever call on the US East Coast.
Port of Charleston has used the global demand slump to continue investing in updated infrastructure. “A deeper harbor, new ship-to-shore cranes, a new container terminal and enhancements to existing terminals will enable us to handle four 14,000-TEU vessels simultaneously next year.” Newsome said.
Platts Container Rate 5 — North Asia-EC North America – has remained steady at $4,200/FEU throughout the month of September.
Source: spglobal
