SC Ports posts 4.7% year-over-year increase in January

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New year, new S.C. Ports Authority records for containers handled.

Coming off a record year in 2021, the S.C. Ports Authority is looking at potentially another big year with record amounts of cargo to be handled.

“The global supply chain continues to see great strain from handling unprecedented amounts of cargo,” SCPA CEO Jim Newsome said in a statement. “With record throughput volumes, we are experiencing a record number of import containers on our terminals awaiting delivery. South Carolina Ports invested strategically in port infrastructure, and we are deploying creative solutions to ensure fluidity for our customers.”

SCPA recorded 226,515 TEUs — an industry measurement equivalent to a 20-foot container — at Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal and Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal for the month of January. The volume is up 4.7% year-over-year.

The SCPA, which works off of a fiscal calendar, has handled more than 1.64 million TEUs since July, up nearly 15% from this time last year.

For pier containers, which account for containers of any size, the ports handled 125,452 in January — a 3.5% uptick from a year ago. Overall, SCPA has recorded 913,321 pier containers in the fiscal year, a year-over-year increase of nearly 15%.

Loaded imports were up 23% from last year as retail imports continue to drive growth. SC Ports handled 117,181 loaded imports in January. The agency further saw 14,172 vehicles roll across the docks at Columbus Street Terminal. The volume represented at 16% year-over-year increase.

Further inland, Inland Port Greer recorded 9,301 rail moves in January, while Inland Port Dillon reported 1,942. Combined, the ports have handled 101,913 rail moves to-date in fiscal year 2022.

The SCPA also welcomed back cruise ships with the Carnival Sunshine setting sail on Jan. 13. The agency also had three port-of-calls in January, handling a total of 9,490 cruise passengers last month.

The SCPA ended 2021 with 2.75 million TEUs, a 9% increase from 2020 and a 13% increase from 2019. The agency also handled 1.53 million pier containers, up 18% from 2020 and 11% from 2019.