Port has record 8th month as retail-driven growth continues

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As consumers continue to buy retail goods, home goods and furniture, retail imports continue to drive cargo growth at the S.C. Ports Authority.

For the eighth consecutive month, SCPA reported record volumes at the Port of Charleston, moving 234,923 TEUs — an industry measurement equivalent to a 20-foot container — at Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal and Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal.

The October volumes represent a 9% increase over this time last year. Fiscal-year-to-date, the SCPA has handled 919,440 TEUs, up 15% year-over-year.

The port’s continued success and berth availability recently attracted the business of Wan Hai Lines, which will begin calling on Charleston as part of its network expansion between Asia and the East Coast of North America, the SCPA said in the release.

“During this time of unprecedented supply chain challenges, shipping lines and cargo owners can take advantage of the opportunity to diversify their port gateways,” SCPA CEO Jim Newsome said in a statement.

SCPA set several more October records with pier containers, which account for boxes of any size. The 130,417 containers moved reflect a nearly 9% increase from the same time a year ago. Moves are also up 15% for the fiscal year, with 511,790 pier containers moved to date.

“S.C. Ports provides capacity, fluidity and predictability for retailers as record retail imports flow into the Port of Charleston,” Newsome said. “S.C. Ports has invested more than $2 billion in port infrastructure in recent years to ensure supply chain fluidity for our customers.”

S.C. Ports handled 107,773 TEUs of loaded imports in October, up 12% from the year prior.

Inland Port Greer had a record month with 14,189 rail moves in October, up 10% year-over-year prior. Inland Port Dillon reported 2,435 rail moves in October.

Vehicles remain a strong business segment at S.C. Ports, with 21,740 vehicles rolling across the docks of Columbus Street Terminal in October, an increase of 5% from this time last year.