Posted on October 29, 2025
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – The new South Carolina Ports Authority president emphasized his goals toward growth amidst a challenging projected few months ahead in his first ‘state of the port’ address on Tuesday.
South Carolina Ports Authority President and CEO Michah Mallace was appointed to lead the port on Oct. 6. He spoke about his plans to shift momentum away from long-cycle infrastructure and towards strengthening their cargo base as well as prioritizing opportunities for immediate growth.
Companies invested more than $8 billion in new and existing businesses in South Carolina in the last year. Port customers invested more than $786 million in new and expanding manufacturing facilities and distribution centers. Alongside those wins come challenging months ahead.
The National Retail Federation forecasts imports will be down between 12% and 16% over the next three months. Mallace said the tariff pause is why they’re seeing this abnormal seasonal trend.
“This is traditionally the peak season. We should see our highest volume months right around now and we’re not and that’s across the industry,” Mallace said. The reason is everyone brought in inventory during the 90-day tariff pause and so now there’s not that need to bring in a bunch of inventory.”
Mallace said they’ve faced a grim reality over the past few years.
“We’ve been in a freight recession for three years, longer and deeper really than the 2008, 2009 recession on our business and the transportation business as a whole,” he said.
He also said he has plans to turn things around by shifting momentum away from long-cycle infrastructure towards strengthening the cargo base. His goal is to focus on creating immediate opportunities that generate revenue like using South Carolina Ports’ Real estate to facilitate growth projects. Mallace and local leaders say the ports drive the market.
Mallace said leaders are working on a multi-year plan to use the South Carolina Ports’ Real estate to facilitate growth projects. They also have plans to expand their business in Asia. Mallace said lots of manufacturing is moving to Asia and they plan to grab a portion of that market share.
“South Carolina Ports Authority is about one out of every nine jobs in South Carolina, it’s about $87 million in economic development, so it’s a true driver for the economy here in South Carolina,” Rep. Nancy Mace, member of the 1st Congressional District, said.
Weekly services in Charleston grew to 29 this year. They expanded to key markets in Asia, Europe and India.
“Asia, in general, Southeast Asia, South Asia, is where a lot of manufacturing is moving, and we aspire to grab a portion of that market share,” Mallace added.
Extending reach across the globe to help families here at home.
