South Carolina ports saw steady container volumes in early 2020 and recorded the highest February ever for both cargo volumes and rail moves at inland ports. 

S.C. Ports Authority (SCPA) said in a statement that its ports moved 197,214 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) across the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals last month.

The ports handled nearly 1.64 million TEUs thus far in the fiscal year 2020, from July through February, a 4% increase from the same time a year ago, it added.

As measured by the total number of boxes handled, SCPA moved 110,927 pier containers in February. The Port has handled 924,526 pier containers in fiscal year 2020. Loaded export TEUs were up nearly 20% and loaded import TEUs were up about 14% over last February, both of which are record levels for that month.

Auto cargo up

Vehicle volumes in February were also up 26% year-over-year with a total of 149,340 vehicles handled thus far in 2020. The Port moved 18,156 vehicles at Columbus Street Terminal in February.

S.C. Ports also handled 468,319 pier tons of breakbulk during the same period, which was up 22% year-over-year. 

S.C. Ports’ two rail-served inland terminals both saw record activity in February.

Inland Port Greer, located in the Upstate, reported 13,749 rail moves in February for a total of 99,920 rail moves in the fiscal year 2020, up nearly 18% year-over-year. Inland Port Dillon, located in the Pee Dee, reported 3,068 rail moves in February for a total of 22,893 rail moves in fiscal year 2020, up 22%.

Coronavirus impact expected

“S.C. Ports maintained strong volumes across multiple business segments in early 2020, with record volumes handled at our bustling terminals in February,” said Jim Newsome, S.C. Ports Authority President and CEO.

“These volumes are bright spots amid much uncertainty in the global market. While we do expect our volumes will be down in March and April due to impacts from the coronavirus, we anticipate a rebound in May and June to finish the year above plan.”

S.C. Ports continue to prepare for growing cargo volumes and larger vessels calling on the Port of Charleston. The Charleston Harbor Deepening Project is on track to achieve a 52-foot depth in 2021.

Work is also progressing on the first phase of the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, set to open in March 2021. The terminal recently reached a major milestone when the last pile was driven into the new 1,400-foot-wharf, readying it for Neo-Panamax vessels.

“We remain focused on executing our vital infrastructure projects, including deepening our harbour and building a new container terminal, to handle mega container ships carrying cargo to support the booming Southeast market,” Newsome added.