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CHARLESTON, SC — JUNE 8, 2021 — South Carolina Ports had a record May for containers handled at the Port of Charleston, marking the third consecutive month of record volumes.

SC Ports had its strongest May ever for containers, moving 230,870 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) across Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal and Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal. This is a 36% increase from a year ago as cargo continues to boom globally.

SC Ports has handled nearly 2.32 million TEUs thus far in fiscal year 2021, from July 1 through May 31, up 6.85% from the year prior.

SC Ports handled 128,519 pier containers — which account for cargo boxes of any size — in May, up 31.2% year-over-year. SC Ports has handled 1.29 million pier containers thus far in fiscal year 2021, up 5% from the year prior.

While the strong comparisons are aided by low volumes in May 2020 due to the pandemic, SC Ports’ volumes consistently show a rebound in the booming Southeast market.

Mega retailers and advanced manufacturers continue to drive volumes at the Port of Charleston. Loaded imports were up 46.5% and loaded exports were up 24.3% in May compared to a year ago.

“The Port of Charleston saw strong container volumes in May as our efficient operations continue to support the retail boom,” SC Ports President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “SC Ports also welcomed the CMA CGM MARCO POLO in May, marking the largest container ship to ever call the East Coast and signifying the importance of our ongoing infrastructure investments. We achieved 52 feet of depth in front of Wando Welch Terminal last month, putting Charleston on track to have the deepest harbor on the East Coast in 2022.”

Vehicles remain an incredibly strong segment for the Port of Charleston. SC Ports handled 21,280 vehicles in May, up 818% year-over-year — a significant jump from last May when many automotive manufacturers were impacted by the pandemic. SC Ports has handled 230,885 vehicles at Columbus Street Terminal fiscal-year-to-date, up 24.5%.

Inland Port Greer reported 11,280 rail moves in May, a 25.9% increase year-over-year. Inland Port Greer has handled 144,459 rail moves fiscal-year-to-date. Inland Port Dillon handled 2,318 rail moves in May for a total of 32,409 rail moves fiscal-year-to-date.

About South Carolina Ports Authority

South Carolina Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 225,000 statewide jobs and generate nearly $63.4 billion in annual economic activity. SC Ports is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. Please visit www.scspa.com to learn more about SC Ports.

CHARLESTON, SC – JUNE 4, 2021 – Students from around the Lowcountry have named South Carolina Ports’ five ship-to-shore cranes at the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal.

The names are on the massive blue cranes in big block letters: Nifty Lifty, Sir Lift-A-Lot, No Crane No Gain, South Craneolina and The Reel Steel.

Students in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties came up with these creative names as part of SC Ports’ Name the Cranes contest. Third through fifth grade students submitted their suggestions for crane names. The selection process is anonymous.

The winners represent five schools and four municipalities, including two schools in North Charleston, which is where Leatherman Terminal is located.

“South Carolina Ports enjoys partnering with local schools to engage students and connect them to our operations and workforce. Our Names the Cranes contest is a really special way for students to connect with the port,” SC Ports Chief Operating Officer Barbara Melvin said. “Students always come up with creative names for our cranes, and we hope that it sparks a lifelong connection to the maritime industry for them.”

Ship-to-shore cranes are responsible for lifting cargo boxes filled with goods on and off container ships. Leatherman Terminal’s cranes have 169 feet of lift height above the wharf deck and 228 feet of outreach. The electric cranes are capable of working the largest container ships calling the East Coast.

“We have some of the tallest ship-to-shore cranes on the East Coast deployed at the country’s first container terminal to open since 2009,” SC Ports President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “Our entire team is proud that these impressive pieces of cargo-handling equipment have a strong connection to South Carolina students through our Name the Cranes contest.”

Name the Cranes contest winners:

Nifty Lifty
Student: Promise Washington
School: North Charleston Elementary School
Grade: Third
Teacher: Heidi Hocking

Sir Lift-A-Lot
Student: Rashard Davis
School: Fort Dorchester Elementary School
Grade: Fifth
Teacher: Jennifer Veloso

No Crane No Gain
Student: Jaden Warren
School: Drayton Hall Elementary School
Grade: Fifth
Teacher: Shantequa McGill

South Craneolina
Student: Corbin Pritchard
School: Westview Elementary
Grade: Fifth
Teacher: Lindsey Bronzino

The Reel Steel
Student: Noah Cowell
School: Bowen’s Corner Elementary
Grade: Fifth
Teacher: Kelee Beckwith

About South Carolina Ports Authority

South Carolina Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 225,000 statewide jobs and generate nearly $63.4 billion in annual economic activity. SC Ports is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. Please visit www.scspa.com to learn more about SC Ports.

CHARLESTON, SC — MAY 28, 2021 — Hundreds of people stood on the shoreline snapping pictures as the massive CMA CGM MARCO POLO sailed into Charleston today, setting the record as the largest ship to ever call the U.S. East Coast and the Port of Charleston.

South Carolina Ports welcomed the record-breaking CMA CGM MARCO POLO to Wando Welch Terminal. The vessel measures 1,300 feet long and has the capacity to carry 16,022 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent container units).

When compared to iconic markers in the Lowcountry, the ship equals 1.5 USS Yorktowns and seven 787-8 Boeing-made Dreamliner jets.

Four ship-to-shore cranes with 155 feet of lift height above the wharf deck are deployed on the CMA CGM MARCO POLO, ensuring the swift movement of more than 2,200 containers filled with goods.

“The S.C. Ports Authority has made South Carolina proud by transforming Charleston into a world-class port that attracts world-class investment and can now accommodate the largest container ships in the world,” South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said. “We welcome the CMA CGM MARCO POLO and look forward to breaking even more records as our infrastructure continues to improve and our economy continues to grow.”

SC Ports has invested $2 billion in port infrastructure in recent years to handle bigger ships and more cargo for customers.

Work is ongoing to enhance Wando Welch Terminal, including densifying the terminal, strengthening the berths and investing in new equipment. Wando Welch Terminal will have 15 ship-to-shore cranes with 155 feet of lift height above the wharf deck ready to work container ships later this year.

The opening of the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal in March marked the first container terminal to open in the U.S. since 2009. The Leatherman Terminal adds much-needed port capacity and another berth to the U.S. East Coast port market.

Additionally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District is working to deepen Charleston Harbor to 52 feet; the project is progressing well and is fully funded by state and federal dollars.

The Charleston Harbor Deepening Project achieved a significant milestone this month by reaching 52 feet in the Wando River in front of Wando Welch Terminal. When the project is fully completed in 2022, Charleston will have the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet, capable of seamlessly handling fully loaded mega container ships at any time, any tide.

These significant projects are occurring while the maritime community and motor carriers provide efficient, fluid operations for customers.

“SC Ports has invested in big-ship infrastructure and terminal capacity to handle the boom in retail goods and ensure a fluid supply chain for customers. The arrival of the 16,022-TEU CMA CGM MARCO POLO highlights the importance of our big-ship strategy,” SC Ports President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “This is a big moment for South Carolina. Our whole maritime community is extremely proud of our ability to handle this ship and of the confidence CMA CGM has placed in SC Ports. Congratulations to our partner CMA CGM on this impressive deployment. We are all proud to share in this milestone.”

The CMA CGM MARCO POLO is operated by the CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics. Ed Aldridge, president of CMA CGM America and APL North America, came to SC Ports to celebrate the arrival of the record-breaking vessel in Charleston.

The Port of Charleston is the last U.S. port of call for the CMA CGM MARCO POLO before it heads overseas after its historic journey.

“The big-ship records we have set this week and the resulting increase in capacity are tangible proof of CMA CGM’s willingness to do whatever it takes to serve our customers,” Aldridge said. “Of course, this would not be possible without the support of our port partners. SC Ports’ recent infrastructure enhancements and the deepening of the Charleston Harbor are the type of investments that enable us to deliver the solutions that keep America moving.”

The deployment of the CMA CGM MARCO POLO signifies the company’s commitment to creating agile and flexible solutions to meet the needs of its U.S. customer base as many ports are handling unprecedented cargo volumes from a boom in e-commerce and retail.

The CMA CGM MARCO POLO is part of CMA CGM’s Columbus JAX service, traveling between South Asia and the U.S. East Coast. The vessel arrives less than one year after the record-breaking 15,072-TEU CMA CGM BRAZIL, which called on SC Ports last September.

“It gives our maritime community great pride to welcome the CMA CGM MARCO POLO to Charleston,” SC Ports COO Barbara Melvin said. “The arrival of this record-breaking vessel highlights the importance of our infrastructure projects, which require great foresight and significant investment to deliver the capacity and capabilities our customers require. Our efforts ensure South Carolina remains a top 10 U.S. container port, in support of South Carolina’s economy.”

Notable quotes

“Port infrastructure investments make milestones such as the CMA CGM MARCO POLO arrival possible. Bigger ships carry more cargo for port-dependent businesses, which in turn creates jobs and growth in our communities. South Carolina Ports supports 1 in 10 jobs in the state and generates a $63.4 billion economic impact in South Carolina each year.” — SC Ports Board Chairman Bill Stern

“Investments to deepen Charleston Harbor and enhance the Port of Charleston to handle bigger ships have been true game changers for our state. The arrival of the CMA CGM MARCO POLO showcases how crucial it is that our port remains a top 10 U.S. container port. SC Ports is the backbone of our state’s economy, supporting jobs and ensuring South Carolina remains globally competitive.” — Senator Lindsey Graham

“The arrival of the CMA CGM MARCO POLO is a major achievement for South Carolina. The Port of Charleston has been a vital economic engine for South Carolina, and the arrival of one the largest ships in the world demonstrates the state’s ability to compete in the global economy. I am pleased that federal and state support enabled the deepening of Charleston Harbor to accommodate today’s mega ships. Those investments will continue to sustain this important contributor to our state’s economic success.” — Congressman Jim Clyburn

“Today, we witnessed history here in the Lowcountry. South Carolina is a world-class industrial hub, and the Port of Charleston generates over $65 billion a year while supporting one out of every ten jobs in our state. The arrival of MARCO POLO is a powerful reminder of just how important the port is to South Carolina's economy, and how important South Carolinians are to the global economy." — Congresswoman Nancy Mace

“The arrival of the record-breaking CMA CGM Marco Polo is a major milestone for South Carolina, showcasing our global competitiveness. This achievement is made possible from years of hard work, strategic planning and significant investment. We have the deepest harbor of any port on the East Coast at 52 feet, which enables mega container ships to seamlessly flow through Charleston Harbor and call on the Port of Charleston.” — Senator Larry Grooms, chairman of the Review and Oversight Commission on the State Ports Authority

“Today is an exciting day for SC Ports and for South Carolina as the largest container ship to ever visit the East Coast arrives in Charleston. The CMA CGM MARCO POLO highlights the big-ship capabilities at SC Ports. Our well-run port supports companies throughout our state, serving as a great economic engine for our state.” — Representative Bill Sandifer, Vice Chairman, Senate Transportation Committee and Port Oversight Commission

“The Charleston Harbor Deepening Project will enhance transportation efficiencies in Charleston Harbor by removing tidal restrictions, enabling Neo-Panamax vessels like the CMA CGM MARCO POLO to call on South Carolina Ports at any time. Taking a project of this scale and impact from a feasibility study to completion in 12 years and within just six years of its federal construction authorization is a testament to the professionalism and determinization of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, the vision of SC Ports and the cooperation of local leaders.” — Lt. Col. Rachel Honderd, district commander of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District

Want a tour of CMA CGM MARCO POLO? Here’s your chance!

The CMA CGM Group is hosting an Instagram contest for the most beautiful pictures in each port city the CMA CGM MARCO POLO calls. Here are the details:

• Snap a photo of the CMA CGM MARCO POLO while it is in Charleston.

• Post your best shots on Instagram tagging @CMACGM with at least one of the following hashtags: #CMACGMRecord, #CMACGMMarcoPolo and #CCMarcoPoloCharleston. (Tag @SCPorts and #SCPorts, too!)
• CMA CGM will pick three winners for Charleston.
• The three winners will have an unprecedented opportunity to tour the CMA CGM MARCO POLO during its next port of call in Charleston.
• Read contest details here.

The CMA CGM MARCO POLO is scheduled to depart Saturday, May 29, likely in the evening, although this schedule can shift. Follow us on social media for updates: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About CMA CGM

Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group is a world leader in shipping and logistics. Its 566 vessels serve more than 420 ports around the world, on all five continents. In 2020, they transported nearly 21 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) containers. With CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics services, CMA CGM handles 400,000 tons of airfreight and 2.8 million tons of inland freight every year.

CMA CGM is constantly innovating to offer customers new maritime, inland and logistics solutions. Present on every continent and in 160 countries through its network of 755 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 110,000 people worldwide, of which 2,400 are in Marseille where its head office is located.

In the United States, CMA CGM, which is based in Norfolk, Va., employs more than 12,000 people. Its subsidiary, American President Lines (APL), operates a fleet of U.S.-flagged vessels and supports U.S. territories and American military stationed around the world.

About South Carolina Ports Authority

South Carolina Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 225,000 statewide jobs and generate nearly $63.4 billion in annual economic activity. SC Ports is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. Please visit www.scspa.com to learn more about SC Ports.

CHARLESTON, SC — MAY 25, 2021 — South Carolina Ports will soon welcome the largest container ship to ever call the East Coast — the CMA CGM MARCO POLO.

The record-breaking CMA CGM MARCO POLO measures 1,300 feet long and has the capacity to carry 16,022 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).

CMA CGM’s record-breaking vessel is working its way down the East Coast, with Charleston as the last U.S. port of call before it heads overseas.

“We look forward to welcoming the largest container ship to ever visit the Port of Charleston. The arrival of the 16,022-TEU CMA CGM MARCO POLO will be a big moment for South Carolina and our excellent maritime community,” SC Ports President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “SC Ports has long planned for the arrival of such a ship by investing significantly in big-ship infrastructure and cargo capacity, as well as deepening Charleston Harbor. Congratulations to our partner CMA CGM on this impressive deployment. We are all proud to share in this milestone.”

SC Ports has invested $2 billion in infrastructure in recent years, including enhancements to Wando Welch Terminal, to handle bigger ships and more cargo. Ship-to-shore cranes with 155 feet of lift height above the wharf deck stand ready to work the CMA CGM MARCO POLO at Wando Welch Terminal.

The Charleston Harbor Deepening Project, slated for full completion in 2022, will enable Charleston to seamlessly handle fully loaded mega container ships at any time, any tide at 52 feet of depth.

“Our efficient operations and deep harbor are designed to handle ships of this size,” SC Ports COO Barbara Melvin said. “The arrival of such a big ship instills great pride in our maritime community and the Charleston community at large. We are excited to see the impressive CMA CGM MARCO POLO sailing through Charleston Harbor.”

The CMA CGM MARCO POLO is operated by the CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics. The vessel is sailing on CMA CGM’s Columbus JAX service, traveling from South Asia to the U.S. East Coast.

The deployment of the CMA CGM MARCO POLO signifies the company’s commitment to creating agile and flexible solutions to meet the needs of its U.S. customer base, as many ports are seeing unprecedented cargo boosts from increasing e-commerce sales and demand for retail goods.

The CMA CGM MARCO POLO will arrive less than one year after the record-breaking 15,072-TEU CMA CGM BRAZIL, which called on SC Ports last September.

“Bigger ships carry more cargo, further supporting port-dependent businesses and jobs throughout South Carolina and beyond,” said SC Ports Board Chairman Bill Stern, noting that port operations support 1 in 10 jobs in the state. “Port infrastructure investments make milestones such as this possible, generating future growth for S.C. communities.”

Track the vessel

The vessel is expected to arrive the morning of Friday, May 28. Follow SC Ports on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates on the arrival time.

Get your cameras ready, Charleston!

Come to one of these vantage points and snap some photos as the CMA CGM MARCO POLO arrives in Charleston:

• Sullivan’s Island
• Patriots Point
• South Carolina Aquarium
• Charleston Waterfront Park
• Ravenel Bridge
• Mount Pleasant Shem Creek Park
• Pitt Street Bridge
• Charlotte Street Park Irish Memorial
• Melton Peter Demetre Park
• Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park

 

Be sure to tag us in your posts so we can share your photos: @SCPorts, #SCPorts, @CMACGM and #CCMarcoPoloCharleston.

Want an exclusive tour of the CMA CGM MARCO POLO? Here’s your chance!

The CMA CGM Group will host an Instagram contest for the most beautiful pictures in each port city. Here are the details:

• Snap a photo of the CMA CGM MARCO POLO as it arrives, docks or leaves Charleston.
• Post your best shots on Instagram tagging @CMACGM with at least one of the following hashtags: #CMACGMRecord, #CMACGMMarcoPolo and #CCMarcoPoloCharleston. (Tag @SCPorts and #SCPorts, too!)
• CMA CGM will pick three winners for Charleston.
• The three winners will have an unprecedented opportunity to tour the CMA CGM MARCO POLO during its next port of call in Charleston.
• Read contest details here.

 

About CMA CGM

Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group is a world leader in shipping and logistics. Its 566 vessels serve more than 420 ports around the world, on all five continents. In 2020, they transported nearly 21 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) containers. With CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics services, CMA CGM handles 400,000 tons of airfreight and 2.8 million tons of inland freight every year.

CMA CGM is constantly innovating to offer customers new maritime, inland and logistics solutions. Present on every continent and in 160 countries through its network of 755 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 110,000 people worldwide, of which 2,400 are in Marseille where its head office is located.

In the United States, CMA CGM, which is based in Norfolk, Va., employs more than 12,000 people. Its subsidiary, American President Lines (APL), operates a fleet of U.S.-flagged vessels and supports U.S. territories and American military stationed around the world.

CHARLESTON, SC — MAY 11, 2021 — South Carolina Ports had a record April for cargo handled at the Port of Charleston, following an all-time cargo record achieved in March.

SC Ports reported its strongest April ever for containers, moving 225,137 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) across Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal and Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal. This is a 27.8% increase from a year ago, a great sign of continued recovery.

SC Ports handled around 2.09 million TEUs thus far in fiscal year 2021, from July 1 through April 30, up 4.4% from the year prior.

SC Ports handled 125,959 pier containers — which accounts for cargo boxes of any size — in April, up 24.9% year-over-year. SC Ports has handled 1.16 million pier containers thus far in fiscal year 2021, up 2.78%.

SC Ports saw strength across multiple business segments last month, including with containers, vehicles and inland ports, reflecting the Southeast’s booming consumer population and strong business sectors.

Loaded imports were up nearly 27% in April. The U.S. continues to see a surge of imports, particularly home goods, furniture, exercise equipment, and refrigerated foods and produce.

Loaded exports were up nearly 30% in April, buoyed by the strong manufacturing and automotive sector in South Carolina and beyond.

“Companies needing to quickly import and export goods benefit from the available capacity at SC Ports,” SC Ports CEO Jim Newsome said. “We have invested significantly in our infrastructure, including enhancing Wando Welch Terminal and opening Leatherman Terminal, to ensure Charleston can handle the biggest ships and growing cargo volumes coming to the East Coast.”

Vehicles were up an impressive 143.1% from last April, when many automotive manufacturers were impacted by the pandemic. SC Ports saw 21,966 vehicles roll across the docks at Columbus Street Terminal last month. SC Ports has handled 209,598 vehicles fiscal-year-to-date, up 14.5%.

SC Ports’ two rail-served inland ports consistently perform well, with Inland Port Greer and Inland Port Dillon reporting a combined 16,244 rail moves in April, up 62.5% year-over-year. Fiscal-year-to-date, the inland ports reported 163,270 rail moves, up 10.1%.

Inland Port Greer extends the Port of Charleston’s reach into the Upstate of South Carolina via Norfolk Southern rail, while Inland Port Dillon extends the Port of Charleston’s reach into the Pee Dee region of South Carolina via CSX rail. Both inland ports enable goods to swiftly move to and from the Port of Charleston via rail; short-haul trucking moves goods between the inland ports and companies located further inland throughout the Southeast and Midwest.

Inland Port Greer handled 13,719 rail moves in April, up 85.2% from the year prior. This strong month follows its busiest month ever in March. SC Ports is also expanding Inland Port Greer to increase cargo and rail capacity for customers. Meanwhile, Inland Port Dillon reported 2,525 rail moves in April, down 2.4% from last year.

“Our entire maritime and motor carrier community kept freight moving during the past year. We owe them much gratitude for keeping our shelves stocked and businesses running during the pandemic,” Newsome said. “As the global supply chain continues to feel strained, it is evident that SC Ports invested in the right infrastructure at the right time. We have the capacity, big-ship capabilities and deep harbor today to handle cargo influxes.”

About South Carolina Ports Authority

South Carolina Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 225,000 statewide jobs and generate nearly $63.4 billion in annual economic activity. SC Ports is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. Please visit www.scspa.com to learn more about SC Ports.

CHARLESTON, SC — APRIL 9, 2021 — South Carolina Ports made history today welcoming the first vessel to the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, marking the first container terminal to open in the U.S. since 2009.

Operations launched March 30 with the arrival of the first container, followed by the first ship arrival today with Hapag Lloyd’s Yorktown Express.

“The Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal is an investment in the future of South Carolina that will spur economic development, create jobs, and further our state’s position as an international business destination for years to come,” Governor Henry McMaster said. “This project is a momentous achievement which highlights the strengths of Team South Carolina. I congratulate the South Carolina Ports Authority and everyone who has worked towards achieving this historic day.”

The Leatherman Terminal, which has been 20 years in the making, is a generational milestone for SC Ports and for South Carolina. The terminal sits along the Cooper River in North Charleston, S.C., near Charleston Harbor. Its cranes can be seen throughout the region — the changed skyline serving as a reminder of Charleston’s success as a port city.

The Leatherman Terminal can efficiently work the biggest ships calling on East Coast ports. Phase One adds 700,000 TEUs of throughput capacity to the Port of Charleston.

SC Ports CEO Jim Newsome said that the opening of the terminal comes at just the right time, as U.S. container ports continue to handle unprecedented cargo volumes amid strong consumer demand. SC Ports had an all-time cargo record in March, with a 50% year-over-year increase in loaded imports.

“SC Ports is extremely proud to open the first container terminal in the U.S. since 2009 in South Carolina. This took years of effort by our team and project partners,” Newsome said. “We have invested in the right infrastructure at the right time to handle growing cargo volumes and bigger ships, ensuring SC Ports remains a top 10 U.S. container port. The Leatherman Terminal adds a berth and more capacity to the Port of Charleston when it is most needed on the East Coast. We made history today as we advance SC Ports’ capabilities and enhance South Carolina’s supply chain for generations to come. Tomorrow is here at SC Ports.”

Capabilities and capacity

The state-of-the-art Leatherman Terminal strengthens SC Ports’ big-ship capabilities and provides much-needed capacity to the East Coast. Its equipment, technology and design provide reliable, efficient service to customers.

Its 1,400-foot berth can handle a 20,000-TEU vessel. Five electric ship-to-shore cranes with 169 feet of lift height and 228 feet of outreach stand on the berth, ready to move cargo on and off container ships. These cranes are among the tallest on the East Coast.

The Leatherman Terminal’s 47-acre container yard has 25 hybrid rubber-tired gantry cranes and eight empty container handlers to efficiently move cargo boxes around the terminal. The rubber-tired gantry cranes are designed to reduce emissions and energy consumption.

A six-acre refrigerated cargo area has six-story tall refrigerated container racks, enabling SC Ports to handle more fresh, refrigerated and frozen goods.

At full buildout, the $2 billion Leatherman Terminal will have three berths and 286 acres, adding 2.4 million TEUs of annual throughput capacity, doubling current capacity.

Building the terminal

SC Ports filed permits in 2003 to develop a container terminal on the south end of the former Navy Base in North Charleston, S.C. Permit approvals were received in 2007. Site work began in 2007 and continued through 2018; work included demolishing old buildings and preparing the former Navy Base site to handle port operations.

Site preparation was extensive, involving driving more than 6,300 miles of wick drains into the site to draw out water, and barging 6 million yards of sand and crushed rock to the site for fill material — yielding a flat, even surface on which to build the terminal.

Site development and construction kicked off in 2018. Building the terminal was like building a small city. The site needed a complete road system, electricity, utilities and buildings. An expansive container yard and wharf had to be built, and the arrival, testing and commissioning of 30 cranes had to be coordinated.

Meanwhile, the S.C. Department of Transportation built the Port Access Road to provide motor carriers a direct connection between Interstate 26 and the Leatherman Terminal.

This all required great collaboration, with hundreds of people from every engineering discipline working together on the site every day. The project was finished on time and under budget.

The SC Ports’ engineering team worked with many contractors, including HDR Inc., Banks Construction Co., Samet Corp., Cape Romain/McLean A Joint Venture and Cape Romain Contractors Inc. Nearly 80% of the dollars spent on construction contracts were awarded to S.C.-based firms.

“It is an incredibly exciting day to welcome the first ship and hear the bustle of terminal operations at the Leatherman Terminal,” SC Ports COO Barbara Melvin said. “Building and operating a port is like orchestrating an intricate ballet. This momentous and historic achievement is the result of tremendous collaboration among our entire team — particularly our excellent engineers — and numerous project partners, and through the support of our elected leaders. We are thrilled to operate this world-class facility with the broader maritime community, ensuring efficient operations and capacity for decades to come.”

State impact

The $1 billion investment to build Phase One is among the state’s biggest and most significant economic development projects to date. Its impact will be felt by waterfront workers and S.C. businesses for decades to come.

The Leatherman Terminal greatly enhances South Carolina’s supply chain, and a well-run port with capacity is an attractive asset for companies.

“SC Ports has long been the economic engine of South Carolina, and the opening of the Leatherman Terminal will generate more investments in our communities and high-paying jobs for South Carolinians,” said Sen. Hugh K. Leatherman, the terminal’s namesake. “SC Ports has seen tremendous growth over the past decade as bigger cargo ships continually call on the Port of Charleston. The modern container terminal greatly expands SC Ports’ capacity and capabilities. It gives me immense pride to see the Leatherman Terminal begin operations, the culmination of 20 years of hard work. The Leatherman Terminal, combined with the many strategic infrastructure investments made by the port, will have a positive impact on our state for generations to come.”

The Leatherman Terminal is part of SC Ports’ $2 billion infrastructure investment plan, which also involves enhancing Wando Welch Terminal. With these combined investments, SC Ports can handle four 14,000-TEU vessels simultaneously — an impressive capability that few U.S. ports can offer.

The Charleston Harbor Deepening Project is on track to achieve 52 feet of depth this year, making it the deepest harbor on the East Coast. SC Ports also looks to develop near-dock rail capabilities with the future Navy Base Intermodal Facility, located about a mile from the Leatherman Terminal, and an inner-harbor barge system.

“South Carolina’s successful supply chain is a direct result of the strategic investments made in port infrastructure that allows us to handle bigger ships and more cargo,” SC Ports Board Chairman Bill Stern said. “The opening of the Leatherman Terminal is a hugely significant milestone for SC Ports and for South Carolina as a whole, setting us up for continued success.”

Congressional leaders

“The opening of the Leatherman Terminal is a big win for South Carolina. More cargo moving through the Port of Charleston is crucial to our state’s growth. The Leatherman Terminal’s big-ship capabilities and cargo capacity ensure South Carolina will remain globally competitive. SC Ports is the backbone of our state’s economy, and the growth of SC Ports helps to make sure the Palmetto State remains a great place to do business.” — U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham

“Today is an exciting day for South Carolina and our country. After a year that highlighted the need for a strong and fluid supply chain, the opening of the Leatherman Terminal represents a critical next step in ensuring we have the infrastructure in place to support economic growth and job creation throughout our state and nation.” — U.S. Senator Tim Scott

“The opening of the Leatherman Terminal is a monumental achievement for South Carolina. This $1 billion project is one of our state’s biggest economic development projects to date. This impressive container terminal offers big-ship capabilities and cargo capacity to SC Ports’ customers, which will support jobs, investment and economic development in S.C. communities for generations to come.” — Congressman Jim Clyburn

“SC Ports has invested $1 billion to build a modern container terminal that sets South Carolina apart in terms of port competitiveness. A well-run port with big-ship capacity is a calling card for businesses looking to expand or build new facilities in the Lowcountry and throughout South Carolina. We celebrate this milestone today as we look forward to continued port-driven growth for our state.” — Congresswoman Nancy Mace

Elected leaders

“The opening of the Leatherman Terminal is a truly amazing achievement, bringing more capacity online at the right time as bigger ships and more cargo continues to flow through the Port of Charleston. The Leatherman Terminal’s modern equipment will enable SC Ports to handle more cargo faster for our companies. This world-class container terminal, and the development of a near-dock rail facility and barge system, will enable SC Ports to efficiently handle more goods for decades to come, further supporting South Carolina’s economy.  — Senator Larry Grooms, Chairman, Senate Transportation Committee and Port Oversight Commission

“SC Ports connects South Carolina businesses to global markets by providing an excellent port system. Today, we celebrate the opening of the Leatherman Terminal, an incredibly modern container terminal that greatly advances our state’s supply chain and expands SC Ports’ capacity.” — Representative Bill Sandifer, Vice Chairman, Senate Transportation Committee and Port Oversight Commission

“The opening of SC Ports’ modern container terminal will have a great economic impact on our state. More than half of the Port’s economic impact occurs in the Upstate. As more cargo flows through the Port of Charleston and Inland Port Greer, our Upstate businesses and communities will continue to benefit.” — Senator Harvey Peeler, President of the South Carolina Senate

“We are proud that South Carolina is the only state in the country to open a container terminal in more than a decade. We truly see the value of a competitive port for our citizens and businesses, with SC Ports creating 1 in 10 jobs statewide. The opening of the modern Leatherman Terminal, the ongoing work to deepen Charleston Harbor and the future Navy Base Intermodal Facility will yield generational benefits for our state.” — S.C. Speaker of the House Jay Lucas

“The Lowcountry sees the economic impact from SC Ports every day, with big ships sailing through Charleston Harbor and tall ship-to-shore cranes working on the horizon. With the opening of the Leatherman Terminal, the Charleston region and Senate District 42 is now home to the country’s first container terminal to open since 2009. This modern container terminal will provide reliable service to port-dependent businesses, ensuring a lasting economic impact for the Lowcountry and for South Carolina as a whole.” — Senator Marlon Kimpson

“The launch of operations at the Leatherman Terminal is a sign of continued growth for our region and for SC Ports. The container terminal enables more cargo to flow through the Port of Charleston, which attracts port-dependent businesses to invest in South Carolina, resulting in more economic opportunity in our communities. I am proud to have this infrastructure in House District 109.” — Representative Deon Tedder

“The City of North Charleston sees the opening of the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal as a sign of continued economic success for our city. The container terminal will attract more companies to the region, which will create good-paying jobs for our residents. North Charleston’s internationally known, business-friendly environment is ripe for businesses to flourish, in support of our communities.” — North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey

SC Ports team

“This has been a great collaborative job by our construction contractor partners, engineering consultants and the Port’s own Engineering team. The level of coordination exhibited by all of the project partners was the best I’ve seen in my nearly 40-year career. With a majority of the construction contracts issued to South Carolina based firms, we like to say the terminal was ‘Built by South Carolinians for South Carolina.’ Congratulations to the entire team for an outstanding job of bringing the Phase One project to a successful completion, on time and on budget.” — Walter Lagarenne, SC Ports’ Senior Director of Engineering and Facilities

“The complexities of building a container terminal require great teamwork and persistence over many years. I have worked on this project from the start, from overseeing site preparation and site development of the former Navy Base, to managing the day-to-day construction of building a world-class container terminal. It is an unforgettable and deeply rewarding moment to see 14 years of work culminate with the first ship arrival at the Leatherman Terminal.” — Butch Weber, SC Ports’ General Manager of Project Management and Construction

“Building Phase One of the Leatherman Terminal was a complex challenge that involved almost every discipline of engineering. The SC Ports team and our project partners made the decision to collaborate daily, resulting in creative, value-added designs for this critical project. It is an incredibly proud moment to see the completion of Phase One and welcome the first of many ships to call on the country’s first container terminal to open in more than a decade.” — Lucy Terza, SC Ports’ Engineering Project Manager

“The Leatherman Terminal has five electric ship-to-shore cranes and 25 hybrid rubber-tired gantry cranes. Our team oversaw the selection, design and fabrication of cranes overseas and then coordinated the equipment arrivals on a very active construction site. Following months of testing, these state-of-the-art cranes are ready to move containers on and off mega container ships and around the container yard. It is incredibly rewarding to see these massive pieces of cargo-handling equipment in action, resulting from years of planning.” — Ed Stehmeyer, SC Ports’ General Manager, Projects and Design

Project partners

“HDR is honored to be a part of the team that built the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal by providing construction management services. The complexities of building a world-class container terminal required great collaboration and ingenuity. We are thrilled to see operations launch at the country’s first container terminal in more than a decade. Through great partnerships with SC Ports and the other contractors, this historic project is now realized. We are proud of the benefit it will provide to the Lowcountry and the entire state of South Carolina for decades to come.” — HDR Vice President David Kinard

“Our team at Banks Construction is proud to partner with SC Ports to build the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal. We could not have accomplished building this state-of-the-art container terminal without excellent support and assistance from the SC Ports and HDR team. We also relied heavily on the commitment and dedication from our sitework partners Thompson Construction Group, Archer Western, Chandler Construction, Southern Construction, ICE, Insight Group and Loveless Contracting. Most importantly, we worked together to build this critical infrastructure project safely and accomplished an early completion. HLT will serve a vital role in the economic success of our state, and we are thrilled to be a part of it.” — Banks Construction CEO Reid Banks

“Cape Romain Contractors and Cape Romain/McLean – A Joint Venture is extremely proud to have played a role in building the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal. Our teams took a very innovative approach to the design, engineering and build process of the 1,400-foot berth, yielding a berth capable of handling the largest container ships calling the East Coast. The Leatherman Terminal is the result of years of hard work and daily collaboration among South Carolina Ports and numerous project partners. This is an exciting day for us all as we welcome the first ship to the berth.” — Cape Romain Contractors President Andrew DuPre

“Samet Corporation is proud to have played an instrumental role in the construction of the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, including building the Terminal Operations Building, Vessel Operations Building and Maintenance Building. While there are many exciting details to the project, we are most appreciative of the great working relationship our team has forged with SC Ports and the many project partners that worked in tandem to expeditiously deliver this modern container terminal for South Carolina.” — Samet Corporation CEO Arthur Samet

“SCDOT completed the Port Access Road on time, providing a direct connection between Interstate 26 at exit 218 and SC Ports’ Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal. The complex project involved replacing an old, partial interchange with a new, modern interchange and performing other associated roadway improvements. The dedicated Port Access Road is four miles in length and provides a new, elevated and direct connection to the container terminal for truck drivers moving goods. The SCDOT team is excited to have played such an integral role in making the Leatherman Terminal accessible to further economic growth for our state. Congratulations to SC Ports on the opening of this truly historic project.” — South Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Christy Hall

About South Carolina Ports Authority

South Carolina Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 225,000 statewide jobs and generate nearly $63.4 billion in annual economic activity. SC Ports is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. Please visit www.scspa.com to learn more about SC Ports.

CHARLESTON, SC — APRIL 6, 2021 — South Carolina Ports handled the most cargo in its history in March, with the Port of Charleston handling record volumes as the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal begins operations.

SC Ports reported an all-time container record for March, moving 248,796 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) across the Port of Charleston’s Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals. This is up 34% year-over-year — a significant increase from last March.

The previous container record was set in August 2019, with 233,110 TEUs handled at the port. Fiscal-year-to-date, SC Ports has handled 1.86 million TEUs from July through March.

SC Ports handled 137,855 pier containers — which account for cargo boxes of any size — in March, which is a 31.3% increase year-over-year. SC Ports has handled nearly 1.036 million pier containers thus far in fiscal year 2021.

“SC Ports moved more cargo than ever before in March. This significant achievement leads up to another historic milestone as we prepare to welcome the first ship to the Leatherman Terminal on Friday,” SC Ports President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “Our all-time container record reinforces that we are adding more capacity to the Port of Charleston at the right time. The state-of-the-art Leatherman Terminal will add 700,000 TEUs of throughput capacity and a 1,400-foot berth to the East Coast port market when it is most needed.”

Loaded imports were up nearly 50% in March at the Port of Charleston. The booming Southeast population and pandemic-driven lifestyle shifts continue to drive retail imports, including home goods, furniture, electronics, exercise equipment, and fresh produce and refrigerated foods.

Loaded exports were up 8.2% in March as advanced manufacturers and automotive companies see steady demand for their products across global markets. SC Ports handled more than 22,000 vehicles at Columbus Street Terminal in March.

Inland Port Greer reported its busiest month in history with 16,688 rail moves in March, up 20.3% from last March. Fiscal-year-to-date, Inland Port Greer has handled 119,460 rail moves, up nearly 5% from the same time a year prior.

Inland Port Greer extends the Port of Charleston’s reach 212 miles inland via rail, and 94 million consumers can be reached within a one-day truck trip from the inland terminal.

Inland Port Dillon reported nearly 3,000 rail moves in March. Fiscal-year-to-date, Inland Port Dillon has handled 27,549 rail moves, up 12.4% from the same time a year prior.

“These impressive volumes highlight our efficient operations and the strength of our entire maritime community, which works as a team to keep the supply chain fluid during a global pandemic and amid unprecedented demand,” Newsome said. “We look forward to offering the same reliable service and additional capacity to our customers as we welcome ships to the Leatherman Terminal. SC Ports is proud to open the first container terminal in the U.S. since 2009 in South Carolina.”

About South Carolina Ports Authority

South Carolina Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 225,000 statewide jobs and generate nearly $63.4 billion in annual economic activity. SC Ports is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. Please visit www.scspa.com to learn more about SC Ports.

 

CHARLESTON, SC — MARCH 29, 2021 — South Carolina Ports celebrates Lineage Logistics' (“Lineage”) newly expanded facility in Charleston and the enhanced cold storage capabilities it brings to customers.

As the world’s largest and most innovative temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider, Lineage provides efficient, effective temperature-controlled solutions to protect the integrity of products being shipped worldwide. Lineage moves more than 30% of the temperature-controlled food products across the United States, and nearly 10% of temperature-controlled food products globally.

Lineage’s $34 million investment to expand its facility in Charleston County was driven by strong customer demand, interest in the Charleston market and proximity to the Port of Charleston.

The facility — located at 7748 Palmetto Commerce Parkway in North Charleston, S.C. — is now 316,357 square feet, up from 190,345 square feet. The facility expansion adds more than 18,000 pallet positions to the building, bringing the facility’s total to nearly 38,000 pallet positions.

The expansion supports the growth of import and export customers within Lineage’s growing network of 5,000-plus customers, including Fortune 500 big-box retailers, grocery stores and family-owned businesses.

“Lineage Logistics provides world-class, temperature-controlled solutions for companies, and their latest expansion further supports the cold storage needs of our customers,” said Micah Mallace, SC Ports’ senior vice president of marketing and sales. “This significant expansion provides additional refrigerated and frozen storage capacity, as well as enhanced capabilities to handle the rising imports of fresh produce, fruits and other refrigerated goods coming in to serve the growing Southeast consumer market.”

Since 2011, SC Ports’ refrigerated cargo business has more than doubled with 110% growth for loaded containers, according to PIERS data. This is driven by the Southeast’s booming population and changes in grocery consumption.

SC Ports recently expanded the reefer container service area at Wando Welch Terminal and built a new reefer container service area at the soon-to-open Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal — providing the capacity to handle the influx of refrigerated and frozen cargo.

“We congratulate Lineage Logistics on their continued success and growth in the Charleston market,” SC Ports CEO Jim Newsome said. “Their decision to invest $34 million to expand operations in the Lowcountry will further support the growing cold storage needs of our customers. We look forward to our continued partnership with Lineage Logistics.”

Lineage’s expansion will better service export and import customers, as well as domestic shipping partners.

“As the world’s largest and most innovative temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider, our team at Lineage requires, and works with, strong partners to protect the integrity of temperature-controlled supply chains worldwide,” said Tim Smith, Lineage Logistics’ executive vice president of business development. “SC Ports has invested in port terminals, which is crucial as we continually expand in the Lowcountry. We can confidently count on SC Ports to provide efficient operations and excellent cold-storage capabilities to support our growth, and we are excited about our future ahead in the region.”

About Lineage Logistics
Lineage is the world’s largest and most innovative temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider. Lineage’s expertise in end-to-end logistical solutions, its unrivaled real estate network, and its use of technology combine to promote food safety, increase distribution efficiency, advance sustainability, lessen environmental impact, and minimize supply chain waste. As a result, Lineage helps customers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small family-owned businesses increase the efficiency and protect the integrity of their temperature-controlled supply chain. Lineage has grown its cubic feet by 60% annually since 2008 to 2.1 billion cubic feet, making it the largest global temperature-controlled industrial REIT. In recognition of the company’s leading innovations, Lineage was recognized as the No 1. Data Science company on Fast Company’s Annual list of The World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2019, in addition to ranking 23rd overall in an evaluation of thousands of companies worldwide. (www.lineagelogistics.com)

About South Carolina Ports Authority
South Carolina Ports Authority, established by the state's General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 225,000 statewide jobs and generate nearly $63.4 billion in annual economic activity. SC Ports is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. Please visit www.scspa.com to learn more about SC Ports.