Rail boosts South Carolina ports' cargo growth in FY19

South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) handled nearly 2.4 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in fiscal-year 2019, which represents an 8.8 percent increase over FY2018 container volume, port officials announced yesterday.

In its first full year of business, Inland Port Dillon handled 29,580 rail moves in FY2019, which ended June 30, SCPA officials said in a press release.

Now in its sixth year of operation, Inland Port Greer reported its busiest fiscal year yet, with 143,204 rail moves in fiscal 2019, up nearly 22 percent from the prior year. Inland Port Greer reported 14,689 rail moves last month.

“SCPA’s container business had a record-setting fiscal year and our inland ports in Greer and Dillon continue to see record growth year-over-year,” said SCPA President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Newsome.

SCPA reported more than 330,000 rail moves in FY2019 through its RapidRail program, which provides a seamless connection between rail yards and marine terminals. The port now handles 24 percent of containerized volumes by intermodal container rail — the highest annual percentage in port history, port officials said.

The port handled 18,307 vehicles at Columbus Street Terminal in June for a total of 194,771 vehicles in FY2019.

“The Southeast remains the best place to be in the port business with a growing population to support imports and a strong manufacturing and automotive presence to boost exports,” Newsome said. “While we expect more modest growth in fiscal 2020, we are optimistic about the future and continue to invest in our infrastructure."

CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway serve SCPA.