Fiscal 2020 starts strong for port

Listen to this article

The S.C. Ports Authority saw a strong start to its new fiscal year, recording the busiest July in port history at container terminals and inland ports.

The port handled 210,542 TEUs — an industry measurement equivalent to a 20-foot container — at terminals last month, up 5% compared with July 2018.

Measured by the total number of boxes, no matter the size, the port handled 119,700 pier containers in July, which is also about 5% more than a year ago.

“We are excited to see fiscal year 2020 starting off so strong,” ports President and CEO Jim Newsome said in a news release. “Our entire maritime community — especially those working our terminals and running our operations — make these achievements possible.”

Inland Port Greer had its second-busiest month so far with 15,338 rail moves, up 57% from this time last year.

Inland Port Dillon, now in its second year of operation, saw 2,889 rail moves in July, up 122% from a year ago when operations were just beginning.

Newsome said the port’s goal this fiscal year is to continue growing cargo volumes, with a particular focus on retail cargo and a distribution center presence, and to support ongoing infrastructure projects.

Charleston will have the deepest harbor on the East Coast in 2021 when the harbor deepening project is complete; that same year, the Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal in North Charleston is projected to open.