Lineage Logistics to build NS-served cold storage facility near South Carolina port

Warehousing and logistics company Lineage Logistics last week announced plans to break ground on a 340,000-square-foot cold storage distribution facility in North Charleston, S.C., in July.

To be located in the Palmetto Commerce Park, the facility will have immediate access to the Port of Charleston and rail access via Norfolk Southern Railway switches. The facility will feature the latest high-capacity blast freezing technology and offer intermodal transportation options to provide customers a more efficient solution to access domestic markets and export proteins to international markets, Lineage Logistics officials said in a press release.

"Specific customer needs and comprehensive infrastructure in the port makes this key logistics hub an important addition to our other port-centric facilities on the East Coast," said Lineage Logistics Chief Executive Officer Bill Hendricksen.

NS' partnership with Lineage presents an opportunity to export more refrigerated products from various inland points to world markets through the Charleston port, said NS Director of Marketing for Ag and Consumer Products Alan Julian.

The port has been registering strong refrigerated container growth. The addition of Lineage's cold storage and blast freezing facility will provide Charleston with increased capabilities to meet the needs of the growing cargo segment, said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority.