South Carolina Ports Authority says Fiscal Year 2020 exhibited a strong start with its first fiscal month, recording its busiest July in Port history at both inland ports and container terminals.
SCPA, as measured by the total number of boxes handled, has moved 119,700 pier containers last month, showing an approximate 5% growth from the year prior. Another 5% improvement was seen in the same month when SCPA handled 210,542 twenty-foot equivalent container units at the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals.
“We accomplished so much in fiscal year 2019, including record cargo volumes and rail moves,” S.C. Ports Authority President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “We are excited to see fiscal year 2020 starting off so strong. Our entire maritime community — especially those working our terminals and running our operations — make these achievements possible.”
Notably Inland Port Greer and Inland Port Dillon showed great improvements.
Inland Port Greer had its strongest July ever with 15,338 rail moves, up 57%, while Inland Port Dillon, which is on its second year of operation, reported 2,889 rail moves in July, up 122%.
“In fiscal 2020, we will work to grow our cargo volumes, particularly with increased retail cargo and distribution center presence, to support our ongoing infrastructure projects,” Newsome said. “In 2021, we will have the deepest harbor on the East Coast and the Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal — the only new container terminal in the U.S. — will open in North Charleston.”