South Carolina Ports Authority logs record cargo volumes in February

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) last month logged its highest February ever for cargo volumes and rail moves at inland ports. 

The SCPA moved 197,214 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) across the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals last month, SCPA officials said in a press release.

The port has handled nearly 1.64 million TEUs thus far in fiscal-year 2020, from July 2019 through February, up 4 percent from the same period the previous year. 

Loaded export TEUs were up nearly 20 percent and loaded import TEUs were up about 14 percent over February 2019, both of which are record levels for that month, SCPA officials said.

Auto volumes were up 26 percent year over year with a total of 149,340 vehicles handled so far in FY2020. The port moved 18,156 vehicles at Columbus Street Terminal last month.

SCPA’s two rail-served inland terminals both saw record activity last month, as well.

Inland Port Greer reported 13,749 rail moves in February for a total of 99,920 in FY2020, up nearly 18 percent year over year. Meanwhile, Inland Port Dillon reported 3,068 rail moves in February for a total of 22,893, a 22 percent increase.

“These volumes are bright spots amid much uncertainty in the global market,” said SCPA President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Newsome. “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.”

CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway both operate large rail yards in Charleston served by double-stack intermodal trains.