South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) reported a 5% increase in containerized cargo moving through the Port of Charleston in November compared to the same month last year, with 116,273 pier containers and 211,443 TEUs.
For the fiscal year to date (July 2024 – November 2024), container volumes have remained steady, with 583,959 pier containers and 1.06 million TEUs, reflecting a marginal 1% year-over-year growth.
Inland Ports Greer and Dillon recorded a combined 17,735 rail moves in November, while 16,695 vehicles passed through the port’s docks. SC Ports said it continues to enhance intermodal connectivity in the state through the ongoing expansion of Inland Port Greer and the construction of the Navy Base Intermodal Facility.
SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin stated, “Having this rail connection to the No. 8 container port in the country is a tremendous benefit for port-dependent businesses, and we continue to invest in our operations to deliver excellent service to our customers and for our state.”
Also, Inland Port Greer is undergoing a significant upgrade to boost cargo and rail capacity, supporting customer growth. Over 9,000 feet of new rail have been installed, enabling the handling of longer, cargo-laden trains. The container yard has been expanded on both the east and west sides, doubling its capacity to accommodate up to 300,000 rail lifts annually.
Furthermore, two new rubber-tired hybrid gantry cranes, delivered in the fall, are now being commissioned to improve container handling efficiency at the expanded yard. Additional works, including the expansion of the chassis yard and the construction of new operations and maintenance buildings, are expected to be completed by late spring.
The Port of Charleston is also seeing significant rail capability enhancements. With US$400 million in state funding, the Navy Base Intermodal Facility is under construction on a 477,529 m² site in North Charleston near Leatherman Terminal. This facility will enable quick and reliable cargo transfers between the Port of Charleston, inland ports, and key markets such as Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, and Louisville.
“We know the confidence our customers place in us when they choose our port,” noted Melvin. “We are making strategic investments in rail-supported infrastructure to support their growth in the Southeast.”
