The South Carolina Ports Authority stated “spectacular volumes” helped it finish 2020 with its strongest December on report.
South Carolina Ports dealt with 209,606 twenty-foot equal models (TEUs) on the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals in December, a 11.6% year-over-year improve.
Loaded imports had been up 14.4% year-over-year and loaded exports elevated 8.6%, “highlighting a powerful stability for ocean carriers and a thriving Southeast market,” the SCPA stated in Monday’s announcement.
South Carolina Ports continued driving a quantity wave following a November-best figure of 207,066 TEUs moved.
The SCPA stated car volumes had been “exceptionally robust” in December, up 29.2% year-over-year to a month-to-month report of 21,228 autos dealt with. In fiscal yr 2021, from July 1 to Dec. 31, South Carolina Ports moved 135,747 autos throughout the docks on the Columbus Road Terminal, a 17.42% hike in comparison with the identical interval final yr.
Inland Port Greer, situated in upstate South Carolina alongside Interstate 85, recorded 13,523 rail strikes in December, a 26% improve year-over-year, whereas Inland Port Dillon, situated within the Pee Dee area of the state alongside Interstate 95, had 2,940 rail strikes, down 2.9%.
“The pandemic created unprecedented challenges to provide chains around the globe,” South Carolina Ports President and CEO Jim Newsome stated in Monday’s assertion. “I’m immensely happy with our port staff and all these working within the maritime and logistics group for exhibiting up daily throughout a pandemic to maintain provide chains fluid. Their dedication ensures that meals merchandise, medical provides, manufacturing elements and retail items are effectively delivered. We’re grateful to them, and we look ahead to a brighter 2021.”
The brighter 2021 will embody the March opening of the $1 billion first part of the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, which can embody a 1,400-foot wharf, 5 ship-to-shore cranes with 169 ft of elevate top above the wharf deck, 25 hybrid rubber-tired gantry cranes and a 47-acre container yard.
Additionally set for completion this yr is the deepening of Charleston Harbor to 52 ft. Modernization efforts that can turn out to be actuality on the Wando Welch Terminal in 2021 embody the set up of 15 ship-to-shore cranes with 155 ft of elevate top above the wharf deck.
The SCPA stated the investments will allow it to deal with 4 14,000-TEU vessels concurrently in addition to a 19,000-TEU container ship, “making certain the port stays globally aggressive for many years to return.”
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Click for more American Shipper/FreightWaves stories by Senior Editor Kim Link-Wills.
