SIMIC

"2021 was a truly banner year for South Carolina Ports," SC Ports CEO Jim Newsome said. "Amid tremendous and ongoing supply chain challenges, we handled record-breaking cargo volumes, while consistently providing capacity and fluidity for our customers. The strength of our port continues to be in the quality of our workforce and excellent maritime community."

SC Ports handled 1.53 million pier containers a 18 per cent increase from 2020 and a 11 per cent increase from 2019.

SC Ports set monthly year-over-year container records for ten consecutive months in 2021, from March through December. Much of the cargo growth stems from consumers buying more retail goods during the pandemic.

SC Ports handled 1.29 million loaded import TEU in 2021, up 25 per cent from the year prior. A significant uptick in retail imports - including home goods, appliances, furniture, clothing and electronics - drove much of this growth at the Port of Charleston.

SC Ports handled 814,964 loaded export TEU in 2021, up 5 per cent from the year prior.

SC Ports' two rail-served inland ports proved crucial to supply chain fluidity throughout the pandemic. Inland Port Greer handled a record calendar year with 160,234 rail moves, up 14 per cent from 2020. Inland Port Dillon recorded 29,412 rail moves.

Automotive remained a steady segment for SC Ports in 2021, with 233,887 vehicles rolling across the docks at Columbus Street Terminal in support of global automakers. Vehicle volumes are up 6 per cent from 2020.

SC Ports sees big achievements on the horizon for 2022.

"SC Ports has the capacity and fluidity needed in today's challenging supply chain," Mr Newsome said. "We are the only port in the country with a new container terminal, with the Leatherman Terminal adding an additional berth to the East Coast port market. We are continuing to enhance Wando Welch Terminal and we will soon have the deepest harbour on the East Coast at 52 feet. We look forward to developing near-dock rail with the Navy Base Intermodal Facility. Our future is very bright."

SC Ports finished 2021 with its strongest December on record, lifting 246,198 TEU at the Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal and Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal in December. This brings the total TEU handled thus far in fiscal year 2022, from July through December, to 1.42 million, up nearly 17 per cent year on year.