SC Ports Authority beats TEU, rail lift records

South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) handled a record volume of nearly 2 million 20-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) last year.

The authority handled 1.996 million TEUs in 2016, which surpassed the previous record of 1.985 million TEUs handled in 2005. Year over year, container volume in TEUs rose 1.2 percent, according to an SCPA press release.

SCPA President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Newsome described 2016's record as a "significant accomplishment" for the port authority.

"We are cautiously optimistic about the future given the significant automotive projects that exist in the Southeast along with the seeming recovery of emerging market economies, which drives U.S. exports," said Newsome in a press release.

The port authority will continue to focus on handling big container ships, refurbishing wharves, raising cranes, deepening its harbor and expanding its inland port network with a second inland port facility in Dillon, S.C., Newsome added.

The S.C. Inland Port Greer handled a record 103,639 rail lifts last year, up 38 percent compared with rail lifts in 2015.

The port authority owns and operates public port facilities in Charleston, Georgetown and Greer, S.C.