Posted on October 25, 2023
During her second State of the Port address, South Carolina Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin showcased how SC Ports is a powerhouse port, serving as a powerful alternative gateway for cargo owners seeking a well-run port in the thriving Southeast market.
With more than $3 billion invested into port infrastructure, SC Ports is perfectly positioned to be the preferred port on the U.S. East Coast, she reported.
While addressing a packed room of more than 800 people, Melvin announced that SC Ports will add at least 2 million TEUs of additional capacity at the Port of Charleston by modernizing North Charleston Terminal, making it comparable to Wando Welch Terminal.
With upgraded cargo-handling equipment and an optimized terminal layout, the container terminal offers future growth potential.
“We have the opportunity to enhance North Charleston Terminal and add capacity to an already-deepened asset to further support our customers’ supply chains,” Melvin said.
As part of the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project, the Cooper River has already been deepened up to North Charleston Terminal. This depth, combined with the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s plans to replace the Don Holt Bridge on Interstate 526, sets the stage for the modernization of North Charleston Terminal.
“A taller bridge and deepened harbor can accommodate larger vessels, and enhanced terminal capacity will drive growth,” Melvin said. “The South Carolina Department of Transportation is playing a pivotal role in this vision. We are excited to see this critical highway infrastructure project benefit the people who live here, as well as the businesses that depend on the port. These investments will support SC companies’ growth well into the future.”
SC Ports has strategically invested in critical capacity and capabilities, while continuing to provide reliable service and efficient operations to keep freight moving in the supply chain.
“We are experts at quickly working ships for ocean carriers and efficiently moving cargo for the businesses who entrust us to expertly handle their goods,” Melvin said. “We provide the service, speed and connectivity that our customers depend on to thrive.”
Cargo continues to flow from the U.S. West Coast to the U.S. East Coast port market, as companies seek predictability, reliability and access to the Southeast.
The Southeast market is booming, with more people moving into the region and businesses investing in new or expanding operations. Even as manufacturing and retail imports have declined across the U.S., the Southeast market continues to thrive with an influx of new residents and industrial growth.
