SC Ports sees 8% volume increase as Leatherman Terminal reopens, imports grow

CHARLESTON, SC — OCT. 22, 2024 — With Leatherman Terminal working ships once again and a surge of imports moving through the Port of Charleston last month, South Carolina Ports saw September volumes increase 8% year-over-year.

South Carolina Ports, alongside ILA partners, handled 214,558 TEUs and 118,306 pier containers in September, up 8% and 7% respectively from a year ago. Loaded imports were up 14% from last year as shippers moved more goods ahead of the short-term work stoppage in early October.

For the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the port handled 638,000 TEUs and 352,803 pier containers, reflecting a 5% increase from the same period last year.

“By delivering reliable, productive and consistent port service, SC Ports strives to be shippers’ preferred gateway to the Southeast,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said.

The reopening of Leatherman Terminal brings an additional 700,000 TEUs and a 1,400-foot berth back online at the Port of Charleston, adding critical capacity, flexibility and fluidity to the U.S. East coast port market.

Since reopening late last month, eight ships have worked at Leatherman Terminal, including a weekly first-in-Asia service from ZIM.

“This weekly service is the first of many to come, and we celebrate seeing cargo moving through the terminal once again,” Melvin said. “The reopening of Leatherman Terminal makes our entire port system more competitive in the Southeast port market.”

SC Ports’ two rail-served inland ports continue to provide critical rail service between the Port of Charleston and inland markets. In September, Inland Port Greer handled 15,133 rail moves, up 3% from last year. For the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the inland ports handled a combined 58,289 rail moves, a 6% increase from the same period last year.

SC Ports also saw 15,223 vehicles and 18,149 cruise passengers move across the docks in September.

About South Carolina Ports

South Carolina Ports owns and operates marine terminals at the Port of Charleston and two rail-served inland ports in Greer and Dillon. As the 8th largest U.S. container port, SC Ports connects port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast and beyond to global markets. SC Ports proactively invests in infrastructure ahead of demand to provide reliable service, efficient operations, cargo capacity, an expansive rail network and the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is a vital economic engine for South Carolina, with port operations supporting 1 in 9 jobs statewide. Learn more: scspa.com.

SC Ports CEO: 10 million TEUs of capacity, rail capabilities support customers’ growth in booming Southeast

CHARLESTON, SC — OCT. 16, 2024 — In her third State of the Port address, South Carolina Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin reinforced how SC Ports is a powerful gateway for shippers seeking reliable, highly productive port service in the thriving U.S. Southeast market.

Melvin delivered her address today to more than 1,200 attendees in a warehouse-turned-event space on Columbus Street Terminal. The event, hosted by The Propeller Club, was held on the waterfront, surrounded by vehicle and breakbulk cargo that moves through the Port of Charleston.

In her address, Melvin outlined how SC Ports is strategically investing in port infrastructure to support the tremendous growth occurring in the region.

SC Ports has three big-ship capable terminals, with more capacity planned; two rail-served inland ports and a near-port rail yard under construction; last-mile connectors underway; the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet; and a total of 10 million TEUs on the horizon.

“The investments we’re making today in our port complex support the tremendous growth occurring in the Southeast today and for decades to come,” Melvin said. “With more than $3 billion invested into port infrastructure, SC Ports is perfectly positioned to be the preferred port on the U.S. East Coast.”

South Carolina’s maritime community pulls together to support shippers — including manufacturers, farmers and retailers — who utilize SC Ports’ facilities to access global markets.

“SC Ports is a powerhouse port, with the capacity and capabilities to support our customers’ growth,” Melvin said. “South Carolina’s maritime community delivers highly productive, reliable operations and world-class service to our customers every day, ensuring fluidity in their supply chains and success for their businesses.”

Reopening, expanding Leatherman Terminal

South Carolina’s maritime community recently celebrated a huge victory with the reopening of Leatherman Terminal, marking a monumental moment for the entire port system and state.

This unlocks an additional 700,000 TEUs in Charleston Harbor and a 1,400-foot berth, providing more flexibility and fluidity within the U.S. East Coast port market, and further supporting businesses that depend on the port.

Melvin announced today that expansion plans of Leatherman Terminal are underway, including building a second, 1,600-foot berth for the terminal’s wharf, providing a total of 3,000 feet of berth space for mega container ships. At full buildout, Leatherman Terminal will boast three berths and a total of 2.4 million TEUs of capacity.

This state-of-the-art container terminal is already big-ship ready, with five ship-to-shore cranes that sit 169 feet above the wharf, and 25 hybrid RTG cranes.

“In partnership with the ILA, employers and greater maritime community, we are once again providing excellent port service at Leatherman Terminal for the benefit of our ocean carrier and cargo owner customers, adding critical capacity to the U.S. East Coast,” Melvin said. “We have welcomed our first weekly, first-in-Asia service with ZIM, with many more to come. We now have a stronger partnership with the ILA, and we are all growing together.”

10 million TEUs of capacity on the horizon

With expansions and modernization either planned or completed for its three container terminals, SC Ports is on the cusp of having 10 million TEUs in Charleston Harbor, an unmatched asset in the Southeast port market.

In addition to Leatherman Terminal’s planned capacity, the next major slate of capacity at the Port of Charleston will come from an enhanced and expanded North Charleston Terminal. With great support from our state, SC Ports purchased the former WestRock paper mill site in North Charleston.

The 280-acre industrial site sits adjacent to the terminal along the Cooper River. SC Ports will expand the terminal to handle 5 million TEUs in the future. It will offer 5,000 feet of linear berth space for container ships and 400 acres of terminal space for cargo.

“A modernized terminal with significant new container capacity will yield even more reliable, productive port service,” Melvin said. “This expansion, combined with efforts to raise the Don Holt Bridge and deepen the river to 52 feet, will enable North Charleston Terminal to handle the biggest ships calling the port today.”

Wando Welch Terminal already efficiently handles three mega container ships simultaneously, with highly productive crane operations and truck turn times. The terminal boasts 2.4 million TEUs of cargo capacity, including a large refrigerated container yard to support the influx of goods coming in to support the growing region.

Wando handled a record 1.2 million containers in fiscal year 2024, even as toe wall construction continues at the terminal. When completed, this critical infrastructure project will secure a 54-foot depth for vessels in front of the terminal, supporting the 52-foot harbor depth.

“The Southeast is where people are investing, and we are investing in our operations to support that growth,” Melvin said. “Companies can be confident that if they put capital in the ground and commit to this region, we have the infrastructure and capacity to grow along with them.

Growing rail capabilities

SC Ports’ rail-served inland ports had a very successful fiscal year 2024, handling 24% more cargo compared to the year prior. The daily rail service between the Port of Charleston and Inland Ports Greer and Dillon moves more cargo, more efficiently, with the added benefit of reduced emissions.

To support the tremendous growth occurring throughout the region, SC Ports is investing to expand Inland Port Greer with 9,000 feet of new rail and an expanded container yard to support customers’ growth for years to come.

“We know the confidence our customers place in us when they choose our port,” Melvin said. “We are making strategic investments in rail-supported infrastructure to support their growth in the Southeast.”

SC Ports is significantly expanding rail capabilities at the Port of Charleston with a direct rail connection to the port. With $400 million in state funding, the Navy Base Intermodal Facility is taking shape on a 118-acre site in North Charleston near Leatherman Terminal.

This state-of-the-art facility will provide 35,000-feet of processing tracks and utilize six electric rail-mounted gantry cranes to transfer containers between railcars and trucks.

Site grading and utilities are nearly complete, and concrete paving and track construction is well underway. A private one-mile-long road — dedicated solely for port truck traffic — will connect Leatherman Terminal to the facility, enabling the rapid movement of imports and exports between the facilities.

The Navy Base Intermodal Facility will move cargo quickly and reliably between the Port of Charleston and inland ports, and beyond to key markets like Atlanta, Louisville, Nashville, Birmingham and Memphis.

“With the support of our rail partners at CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Palmetto Railways, the Navy Base Intermodal Facility will make SC Ports well positioned for future growth by providing a capacity of 1 million rail lifts per year, nearly triple the amount of cargo we move by rail today,” Melvin said.

Booming market drives growth

The Southeast market is thriving overall, and South Carolina now ranks No. 1 in the nation for both population and GDP growth.

Many companies — including automotive suppliers and electric vehicle makers, retail and e-commerce firms, and food and beverage companies — are choosing to invest in South Carolina with business locations and expansions. These firms benefit from the state’s strong labor pool, attractive business environment and strong infrastructure network.

“Shippers want their import distribution centers near big population centers and well-run ports — making South Carolina Ports the ideal gateway to the U.S. Southeast for importers,” Melvin said. “The growing population and industry base will drive new investments from cargo owners and attract ocean carriers to bring new services, increasing SC Ports’ cargo volumes and competitiveness.”

During the last decade, shippers have been routing more cargo from the U.S. West Coast to the U.S. East Coast to take advantage of sourcing and transit times to key overseas markets, as well as to be closer to growing population centers in the Southeast.

“To our ocean carriers and cargo owner customers, you are the reason we do what we do every day,” Melvin said. “Your decision to use SC Ports as your gateway in the Southeast is hugely important, and we are committed to delivering reliable, productive and consistent service to your supply chains.”

Generating economic growth for South Carolina

Melvin thanked the SC Ports Board of Directors, SC Ports team, many maritime partners, elected leaders, and ocean carriers and cargo owner customers, noting that the port’s success would not be possible without their support.

Each container moved creates economic growth and high-paying jobs for South Carolinians, with port operations generating an $87 billion economic impact each year, according to a recent study by research economist Dr. Joseph Von Nessen.

South Carolina’s port system supports 1 in 9 jobs in our state, the findings showed. This accounts for everyone working in the maritime and logistics industries, as well as thousands of jobs at businesses around our state that depend on the port.

“Every time you see a truck on the road, a ship in our harbor and stacks of containers filled with goods, or autos on this terminal — it represents jobs and economic prosperity for our state,” Melvin said. “We provide excellent port service so our customers can run their businesses smoothly. Thousands of global brands depend on us to keep goods moving through the supply chain, and we are proud to deliver world-class port service to them.”

Melvin delivered her third State of the Port address today to more than 1,200 attendees in a warehouse-turned-event space on Columbus Street Terminal. (Photo/John Smoak)

About South Carolina Ports

South Carolina Ports owns and operates marine terminals at the Port of Charleston and two rail-served inland ports in Greer and Dillon. As the 8th largest U.S. container port, SC Ports connects port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast and beyond to global markets. SC Ports proactively invests in infrastructure ahead of demand to provide reliable service, efficient operations, cargo capacity, an expansive rail network and the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is a vital economic engine for South Carolina, with port operations supporting 1 in 9 jobs statewide. Learn more: scspa.com.

 

SC ports resumes operations for customers Friday morning

Now that the parties have agreed to resume their roles in our supply chain success, South Carolina’s maritime community stands prepared to deliver for shippers, including manufacturers, farmers and retailers, who utilize our port facilities to access global markets.

Let’s get to work!


SC Ports will resume gate hours at all marine terminals at 0600 tomorrow, October 4. Vessel operations will resume at 0700.

WWT, NCT and HLT GATE HOURS:

Friday, October 4

0600-1700

WWT Reefer Service Area Hours:

0600-1700

NCT and HLT Reefer Service Area Hours:

0800-1200/1300-1700

DRY Container Dual missions must enter the gates by 1600. DRY Container Single missions must enter the gates by 1630.

REEFER missions must enter the gates by 1600.

SC Ports appreciates your business.

SC Ports’ Leatherman Terminal reopening with major weekly Asia service

CHARLESTON, SC — SEPT. 25, 2024 — South Carolina Ports celebrated today the reopening of Leatherman Terminal, working a vessel with our ILA partners and the support of the maritime community.

SC Ports will resume Leatherman Terminal gates for receiving containers on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8 a.m. in support of a major weekly Asia service, set to begin early next month.

ZIM will bring its impressive ZCP service to Leatherman Terminal. The first-in-Asia call provides shippers with a critical weekly connection between Asia and the U.S. Southeast consumer market.

“The reopening of Leatherman Terminal is a monumental day for our world-class port system,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “In partnership with the ILA, employers and greater maritime community, we are thrilled to once again provide excellent port service at Leatherman Terminal for the benefit of our ocean carrier and cargo owner customers.”

The 15,000-TEU, LNG-powered ZIM Mount Blanc is scheduled to call Leatherman Terminal on Oct. 6.

“This weekly service is the first of many to come as we resume operations at Leatherman Terminal, providing more capacity and fluidity for the U.S. East Coast port market,” Melvin said. “This first-in-call from Asia is a significant competitive advantage for shippers moving goods through the Port of Charleston.”

Leatherman Terminal is the newest ocean terminal to open in the United States in more than a decade. The opening unlocks an additional 700,000 TEUs in Charleston Harbor, with a planned capacity for 2.4 million TEUs at full build out.

“The reopening of Leatherman Terminal makes our entire port system more competitive in the Southeast port market,” SC Ports Board Chairman Bill Stern said. “The Southeast is booming, South Carolina is growing, and SC Ports is well-positioned to support this growth by efficiently moving cargo for port-dependent businesses.”

“We have the best port team and maritime community in the country, and I am immensely proud of the work we do together on the waterfront,” Melvin said. “The workforce behind Leatherman Terminal and throughout the Port of Charleston remain focused on delivering highly productive, reliable operations and world-class service to our customers.”

The ZIM ZPC service, which MSC and Maersk also ride on, offers direct Charleston calls with Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Busan, Kingston, Charleston, Savannah, Norfolk, Kingston, Busan and Qingdao.

The team at Leatherman Terminal resumed operations today ahead of a major weekly Asia service calling the state-of-the-art container terminal. (Photo/SC Ports/English Hurteau)

About South Carolina Ports

South Carolina Ports owns and operates marine terminals at the Port of Charleston and two rail-served inland ports in Greer and Dillon. As the 8th largest U.S. container port, SC Ports connects port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast and beyond to global markets. SC Ports proactively invests in infrastructure ahead of demand to provide reliable service, efficient operations, cargo capacity, an expansive rail network and the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is a vital economic engine for South Carolina, with port operations supporting 1 in 9 jobs statewide. Learn more: scspa.com.

Cargo volumes up 8% at Port of Charleston, up 19% at inland ports

CHARLESTON, SC — AUGUST 19, 2024 — Highly productive port operations and a strategic location in the thriving Southeast is driving cargo growth at South Carolina Ports.

SC Ports had an 8% uptick in container volumes in July compared to the year prior. The start of peak season and a growing population in the region boosted loaded imports by 6%.

“The South Carolina market is ripe for companies to put new investment in the ground and benefit from direct access to our world-class port system,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “We deliver reliable port service, a strong intermodal network and future capacity to support growth.”

SC Ports and our broader maritime community worked together to efficiently move 224,407 TEUs and 124,448 pier containers filled with goods at the Port of Charleston last month. This marked the second highest July ever for SC Ports, second only to the July 2021 record spurred by the pandemic-related import boom.

Both rail-served inland ports continued to have stellar cargo growth, handling a combined 21,013 rail moves in July, which is up 19% from last year.

Inland Port Greer had an all-time record July, moving 17,332 containers on and off trains, a 17% increase year-over-year.

Inland Port Dillon also set a record in July, with 3,681 rail moves, which is up 26% from last year.

SC Ports handled 10,814 vehicles in July, which is down year-over-year as July is typically a slower month for this segment. SC Ports supports global automakers’ supply chains by importing parts and exporting finished vehicles for BMW Manufacturing Co., Mercedes-Benz Vans and Volvo Cars, among others.

“The team at South Carolina Ports works in tandem with many maritime and logistics partners every day to efficiently move goods in support of our customers,” Melvin said. “It takes all of us working together to keep the supply chain fluid for the U.S. East Coast port market.”

About South Carolina Ports

South Carolina Ports owns and operates marine terminals at the Port of Charleston and two rail-served inland ports in Greer and Dillon. As the 8th largest U.S. container port, SC Ports connects port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast and beyond to global markets. SC Ports proactively invests in infrastructure ahead of demand to provide reliable service, efficient operations, cargo capacity, an expansive rail network and the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is a vital economic engine for South Carolina, with port operations supporting 1 in 9 jobs statewide. Learn more: scspa.com.

SC Ports sees 7% cargo growth in June

CHARLESTON, SC — JULY 17, 2024 — South Carolina Ports finished fiscal year 2024 strong with a 7% uptick in container volumes moving through the Port of Charleston last month.

SC Ports efficiently handled 218,115 TEUs and 121,267 pier containers last month, marking the second highest June on record. Loaded imports were up 10% and loaded exports were up 5%, signifying overall strength in the Southeast market.

“The Southeast market is booming, with a growing population driving imports and new manufacturing investments spurring exports,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “South Carolina Ports is well-positioned for this growth with a 52-foot-deep harbor, efficient terminals, new capacity on the horizon and an impressive inland port network.”

In fiscal year 2024, SC Ports and the broader maritime community handled nearly 2.5 million TEUs and 1.4 million pier containers. This is slightly down from the previous fiscal year.

Wando Welch Terminal notably achieved an all-time record year, with more than 1.2 million containers moving across its wharf, even as toe wall construction continues at the terminal.

“SC Ports works alongside our maritime partners to provide highly productive port service and fluidity in the Southeast supply chains,” Melvin said. “We remain focused on providing the operational excellence that our customers have come to expect from us, while proactively investing in port capacity to efficiently handle their growth.”

Both Inland Port Greer and Inland Port Dillon handled record cargo volumes in fiscal year 2024, with a combined 230,409 containers being moved on and off trains at the rail-served inland ports, up 24% year-over-year.

“Our rail-served inland ports have seen tremendous growth this past year as more customers move cargo by rail,” Melvin said. “We are expanding Inland Port Greer and building the rail-served Navy Base Intermodal Facility to provide more rail capacity in the Southeast port market and further support our customers’ supply chains.”

Inland Port Greer handled 187,638 containers in fiscal year 2024, notching a 28% increase from the prior year. The Greer operation also achieved a record June with 16,450 containers handled, an 11% uptick from last year.

Inland Port Dillon saw significant cargo growth in fiscal year 2024, handling 9% more with 42,771 containers moved. This is the first time Inland Port Dillon handled more than 40,000 rail moves in a fiscal year.

SC Ports continued to serve as a critical supply chain partner for major automakers throughout South Carolina. SC Ports handled 210,817 vehicles in fiscal year 2024, up 12% from the year prior.

About South Carolina Ports

South Carolina Ports owns and operates marine terminals at the Port of Charleston and two rail-served inland ports in Greer and Dillon. As the 8th largest U.S. container port, SC Ports connects port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast and beyond to global markets. SC Ports proactively invests in infrastructure ahead of demand to provide reliable service, efficient operations, cargo capacity, an expansive rail network and the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is a vital economic engine for South Carolina, with port operations supporting 1 in 9 jobs statewide. Learn more: scspa.com.

SC Ports makes significant progress on fluidity, vessel queue

CHARLESTON, SC – JULY 1, 2024 – With the support of the maritime community, South Carolina Ports is quickly working ships and reducing its vessel queue by implementing creative operational solutions and temporarily pausing toe wall construction for ocean carrier and cargo owner customers.

Operational solutions have already helped decrease both wait times and the number of ships waiting. SC Ports has three ships at anchor today, and this project pause will quickly and effectively work to further reduce vessel delays.

“Our SC Ports team and maritime partners are working together to ensure fluidity for our customers amid this critical infrastructure project,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “Our ability to provide creative solutions when challenges arise, along with the incredible support we receive from our customers, makes all the difference in navigating short-term supply chain challenges.”

SC Ports has been working through a ship backlog, following a two-day software issue in May and ongoing berth impacts at Wando Welch Terminal related to toe wall construction along the wharf to maintain a 54-foot berth depth.

Beginning July 3, SC Ports will pause work on the toe wall project to reopen all three berths at Wando Welch Terminal through July 14. This pause in construction will enable SC Ports and the maritime community to work ships faster and work through the remaining anchorage in support of ocean carrier customers and shippers.

SC Ports expects to work ships on arrival by mid-July. As the toe wall construction resumes going into August, a 48-hour average wait is anticipated.

SC Ports anticipates working three ships simultaneously at Wando Welch Terminal in late fall ahead of the project completion, which is slated for March 2025. The planned reopening of Leatherman Terminal will also soon provide an additional berth for ocean carriers to call at the Port of Charleston.

Carriers have been taking advantage of every operational measure put into place to quickly work ships, including start times at 0100, 0700, 0800, 1300, 1900; the flexibility to call on either Wando Welch or North Charleston terminals; and virtual queue times in which SC Ports?communicates with ocean carriers about estimated berthing times to avoid long waits.

“Our ocean carrier partners are seeing positive effects of the measures we have implemented, and cargo customers appreciate the restoration of regular calls and services,” SC Ports’ Chief Commercial Officer Byron Miller said.

Construction of the toe wall began in March 2024. The work of installing steel sheets along the wharf is done in sections, allowing SC Ports to accommodate three ships at the terminal for most of the spring. As work progressed down the wharf, only two berths were available, causing longer wait times for vessels.

“We have proactively worked with our ocean carrier customers, as well as our maritime partners and logistics providers, to provide solutions,” Miller said. “We appreciate the confidence, support and encouragement from our customers as we navigate these challenges. We will continue delivering the superior service they have come to expect from us.”

About South Carolina Ports

South Carolina Ports owns and operates marine terminals at the Port of Charleston and two rail-served inland ports in Greer and Dillon. As the 8th largest U.S. container port, SC Ports connects port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast and beyond to global markets. SC Ports proactively invests in infrastructure ahead of demand to provide reliable service, efficient operations, cargo capacity, an expansive rail network and the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is a vital economic engine for South Carolina, with port operations supporting 1 in 9 jobs statewide. Learn more: scspa.com.

ONE launches new service connecting Charleston, India

CHARLESTON, SC — JUNE 27, 2024 — A new weekly ship service from Ocean Network Express (ONE) establishes a direct connection between India and South Carolina Ports, further reaffirming the strength of the Charleston port market.

ONE launched its new West India North America (WIN) service at the Port of Charleston with the arrival of the ONE Modern on Wednesday at Wando Welch Terminal.

The WIN service connects India’s West Coast and the U.S. East Coast — a key connection for shippers. India has become as strong global manufacturer and exporter of goods, including electronics, food products, clothing and retail goods.

This new service provides a direct connection to U.S. consumers, particularly in the booming Southeast region, and it offers shippers a more efficient option than the U.S. West Coast.

“ONE’s decision to bring its new WIN service to Charleston reinforces the competitiveness of our port market, and we are thrilled to support their growth,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “Our strategic location in the Southeast provides access to a growing consumer base, and our highly productive operations will support the success of this new service.”

SC Ports offers five weekly services to India, including the new WIN service. As the No. 8 U.S. container port, SC Ports offers reliable port service and efficient rail connections to speed goods to market.

The WIN service connects India’s West Coast and the U.S. East Coast (Photo/SCPA/Walter Lagarenne)

About South Carolina Ports

South Carolina Ports owns and operates marine terminals at the Port of Charleston and two rail-served inland ports in Greer and Dillon. As the 8th largest U.S. container port, SC Ports connects port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast and beyond to global markets. SC Ports proactively invests in infrastructure ahead of demand to provide reliable service, efficient operations, cargo capacity, an expansive rail network and the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is a vital economic engine for South Carolina, with port operations supporting 1 in 9 jobs statewide. Learn more: scspa.com.

SC Ports moving forward with ILA to reopen Leatherman Terminal

SC Ports has reached an agreement with the International Longshoremen’s Association that will allow us to reopen Leatherman Terminal together. Our Board of Directors voted unanimously in support of this agreement today.

Joint statement from SC Ports and the ILA:

“SC Ports and ILA proudly announce that after productive and collaborative conversations, we have mutually developed and agreed to the framework for an operating agreement that will create long-term stability and competitiveness for the Port of Charleston while providing an enhanced product. More importantly, SC Ports and ILA worked together to protect jobs to create a seamless transition toward a future that recognizes a trained and experienced workforce across all SC Ports’ terminals. SC Ports and ILA are ready to welcome our USMX partners at the Leatherman Terminal for many years to come without hesitation as all obstacles to operations have been removed.”

SC Ports Graduates 31 Port Ambassadors

CHARLESTON, SC – JUNE 4, 2024 – South Carolina Ports recently celebrated 31 professionals from across the state who completed the 2023-2024 Port Ambassador program. During day-long educational sessions held throughout the year, participants received an in-depth look at how SC Ports’ statewide operations play a critical role in the Southeast supply chain and support port-dependent businesses in South Carolina.

“When our Port Ambassadors go from seeing cargo loaded on and off ships at our terminals, to hearing firsthand how South Carolina farmers, retailers and manufacturers rely on our efficient port system to move their products around the world, it brings home how crucial SC Ports is to our state’s economy,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said.

Throughout the year, Port Ambassadors attended the annual State of the Port address, heard from SC Ports leadership and customers throughout the state, and toured SC Ports’ waterfront terminals and Inland Ports Greer and Dillon.

This year’s class was the first to tour Inland Port Dillon, which opened in 2018, and continues to enjoy month-over-month growth in rail moves. Leaders with CSX, Harbor Freight Tools, C&M Grain, and Palmetto Grain Brokerage spoke to the group about how SC Ports’ presence in the Pee Dee region has helped area businesses expand their market and move goods more efficiently.

“Serving as a Port Ambassador opened my eyes to just how important SC Ports are, not just to Charleston, but to the entire state of South Carolina,” said Liz Griffith, Chief Operations Officer of the International Transportation Innovation Center in Greenville, SC. “From automotive to agriculture, SC Ports is essential in the efficient movement of imports and exports. No wonder so many companies want to call South Carolina home.”

The Port Ambassador Program is designed to increase public understanding of SC Ports’ role in our state’s economy. The program has graduated more than 190 participants since its launch in 2016.

“Our Port Ambassadors gain great knowledge of our port system that they can take back into their communities,” said Jordi Yarborough, SC Ports’ Vice President of Statewide Stakeholders and Local Government Engagement. “After they graduate, we continue communicating with our ambassadors so that they remain knowledgeable about our strategic plans and investments that support port growth.”

2023-2024 Ambassadors:

  • Trent Acker, Duke Energy Carolinas
  • Tony Allen, S.C. Department of Commerce
  • Quinn Balderson, Choate Construction Company
  • Jessica Bright, Emerge South Carolina
  • George Druyos, Berkeley Habitat for Humanity
  • Barnwell Fishburne, Fishburne & Company Development Corporation, SC Department of Transportation
  • Edward Frazier, SC Treasurer’s Office
  • Anthony Gibson, Sumter City Council, Grace Cathedral Ministries
  • Hamilton Grant, Grant Business Advisors
  • Therese Griffin, Dominion Energy South Carolina
  • Liz Griffith, International Transportation Innovation Center
  • Taylor Grooms, Steinberg Law Firm
  • Natalie Ham, Charleston County
  • Mark Harmon, Harmon Consulting
  • Tim Harper, Dillon County
  • Rick Havekost, RDBP, Inc., Mickey Finn’s
  • Bill Hearn, Dorchester County, William Hearn Law Firm
  • Nikki Huber, Bridge Public Strategy Group
  • Kristen Lanier, Terracon Consultants, Inc.
  • Rob Lapin, Trinity Partners
  • Amanda Loveday, NP Strategy
  • Kelly Moore, SC Department of Transportation
  • Ken Nagel, Thomas & Hutton
  • Mike Nickel, Choate Construction Company
  • Sergey Ponomarov, The Citadel
  • Alison Raffety, Mercedes-Benz Vans
  • Dawn Robinson, Pinnacle Financial Partners
  • Amy Sartain, SC Council for Competitiveness
  • Jessica Takach, United Community Bank
  • Dillon Swayngim, Colliers International
  • Eric Woods, Palmetto Grain Brokerage

About South Carolina Ports

South Carolina Ports owns and operates marine terminals at the Port of Charleston and two rail-served inland ports in Greer and Dillon. As the 8th largest U.S. container port, SC Ports connects port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast and beyond to global markets. SC Ports proactively invests in infrastructure ahead of demand to provide reliable service, efficient operations, cargo capacity, an expansive rail network and the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is a vital economic engine for South Carolina, with port operations supporting 1 in 9 jobs statewide. Learn more: scspa.com.

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