SC Ports report steady FY2025 container volume despite October port strike

South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) had an 11% decrease year-over-year in container and 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in October partially due to the International Longshoremen's Association's work stoppage at East and Gulf Coast strikes.

Despite the strike, which occurred Oct. 1 to Oct. 3, SC Ports reported steady container volumes overall in fiscal-year 2025, which began July 1.

The SC Port Authority owns and operates terminals at the Port of Charleston and two rail-served inland ports in Greer and Dillon, and a near-port rail yard that is under construction, SC Port officials said in a press release. 

Inland ports Greer and Dillon handled a combined 17,749 rail moves in October, down 12% from last year. 

So far in FY2025, the ports handled 467,686 pier containers and 847,107 TEUs, which officials say is steady from the same period last year.

As these volumes remain steady, SC Ports is expanding its rail and port infrastructure to support long-term growth in the Southeast, port authority officials said. Construction is progressing on the Port of Charleston’s 118-acre Navy Base Intermodal Facility, which will support the ports’ ability to move goods over rail. The future intermodal yard will be served by CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway.

Inland Port Greer is undergoing an expansion, which, when completed, will offer more cargo capacity and efficient logistics. Two rubber-tired gantry cranes have arrived on site and are currently being assembled, port officials said.