Posted on November 17, 2021
South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) has announced a record October for containers handled at the Port of Charleston, demonstrating eight consecutive months of record volumes at the port.
The group moved 234,923 TEU at its Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal, and Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal in October 2021, a year-on-year increase of 9%. For fiscal-year-to-date, SC Ports has handled 919,440 TEU at its container terminals, up 15% compared to the same period in 2020.
Loaded imports continue to drive the sustained cargo growth as they reached 107,773 TEU through the month, a year-on-year increase of 12%.
“SC Ports provides capacity, fluidity and predictability for retailers as record retail imports flow into the Port of Charleston,” said Jim Newsome, CEO of SC Ports. “SC Ports has invested more than $2 billion in port infrastructure in recent years to ensure supply chain fluidity for our customers.”
In a statement from SC Ports, the port noted that the Port of Charleston consistently has berth availability, meaning ships do not have to wait to access terminals. This offers carriers an alternative option to avoid congestion along the US West Coast and brings new business to the port.
“During this time of unprecedented supply chain challenges, shipping lines and cargo owners can take advantage of the opportunity to diversify their port gateways,” Newsome added.
It was previously announced that SC Ports received a $1.3 million grant to support project partners as they develop all-electric, energy-efficient trucks in place of diesel-run vehicles. Announced in August 2021, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant was awarded by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
The company aims to facilitate this grant to project partners A&R Logistics and Benore Logistics Systems, with the shared goal of moving cargo more sustainably to significantly cut emissions over time.
