In March SCPA handled 171,113 TEU, an increase of 13.7% compared to 150,516 TEU moved during the same month last year. Fiscal year to date, the port has handled nearly 1.4 million TEU.
As measured in pier containers, or the total number of boxes handled, containerized cargo is up 15 percent fiscal year to date compared to last year. SCPA moved 97,191 boxes in March, bringing year fiscal to date pier container volume to nearly 798,000 boxes.
“March volumes reflect the end of a very strong quarter, and I’m confident the port will handle over 1 million boxes by the end of our fiscal year in June,” said SC Ports Authority CEO Jim Newsome. “We’re seeing broad-based growth across all sectors, particularly refrigerated cargo and automotive manufacturing. Discretionary cargo volumes are also up, with the growth of retail imports and agricultural exports reflected in a nearly 25% increase in rail moves last month.”
The Inland Port handled 5,187 rail moves in March, achieving its highest volumes since the facility opening in November 2013. Fiscal year to date, the Inland Port has handled 40,313 rail moves and is 52% ahead of planned volumes.
Breakbulk business volume was strong in March, with 111,352 total pier tons handled during the month. Charleston moved 68,163 tons in March, bringing fiscal year to date breakbulk tonnage at the North Charleston, Columbus Street and Union Pier terminals to 594,022 tons. Georgetown handled 43,189 tons in March, and the facility is 6% head of planned volumes with 401,778 tons moved fiscal year to date.