South Carolina Ports handled 206,859 TEUs in October, a 1% drop from last year, while fiscal year volumes stayed above plan. Loaded exports were strong, up 18% year-over-year, the best month since June.
The slowdown mirrors national trends. U.S. containerized imports fell 7.5% in October after summer front-loading.
SC Ports President and CEO Micah Mallace said the port will continue supporting BCOs through ongoing trade disruptions. “We expect the next few months to remain challenging,” he said. “But our commitment to shippers is unchanged. Our team is ready to handle demanding freight and deliver reliable service.”
Both inland ports outperformed expectations. Inland Port Greer moved 14,807 rail loads, down 7%. Inland Port Dillon moved 4,887, up 176%.
Columbus Street Terminal handled 13,245 vehicles, down 25%. Despite the dip, vehicle volumes remain 17% above plan for the fiscal year.
Port-dependent investment continues to grow. First Solar announced a $330 million facility in Gaffney, bringing 600 jobs by late 2026. Mallace welcomed the news and said SC Ports looks forward to supporting the company’s expansion.
