SC Ports steady freight movements minimises full-year volume drop

SOUTH Carolina Ports Authority (SC Ports Authority) finished fiscal year 2020 with relatively steady volumes compared to fiscal year 2019 despite impacts from the global pandemic.

The first seven months of the fiscal year - from July through January - were strong and the SC Ports was on track to achieve yet another record fiscal year until the pandemic hit, causing global disruption to supply chains and business operations.

SC Ports finished fiscal year 2020, which ended June 30, with 2.32 million TEU handled at the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals, down 2.8 per cent from fiscal year 2019.

SC Ports moved 1.32 million pier containers, which measures the total number of boxes handled, in fiscal year 2020, down 3.4 per cent from the year prior.

From January to June, SC Ports had 58 blanked sailings with an additional 14 additional blank sailings announced for July onward.

The Port of Charleston achieved modest growth for both vehicles and pier tonnes in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019. The port handled 640,929 pier tonnes in fiscal year 2020, up 2.5 per cent from the year prior, according to a company statement.

The port saw 199,825 vehicles roll across the docks of Columbus Street Terminal in fiscal year 2020, an increase of 2.5 per cent from the year prior. Vehicle volumes started to rebound in June after many automotive manufacturing plants resumed normal operations in May.

"The pandemic impacted businesses across the board and our volumes reflect that. We hope to see continued recovery as we begin fiscal year 2021," said SC Ports president and CEO Jim Newsome.

"We have an incredibly well-run port located in the thriving Southeast market. We plan to continue growing and diversifying our cargo base with retail goods imports and transload exports, such as forest products and agricultural goods."

Fiscal 2020 performance at SC Ports' two inland ports marks sustained success with regional rail initiatives. Companies benefit from the same-day rail service connection to the Port of Charleston. Inland Port Greer finished the fiscal year with 140,155 rail moves, down 2.1 per cent.

Inland Port Dillon achieved its highest fiscal year volume on record with 32,453 rail moves, up 9.7 per cent. Inland Port Dillon also achieved its best June yet with 2,696 rail moves last month.

"Our inland ports are an excellent success story for SC Ports and South Carolina," SC Ports COO Barbara Melvin said. "The inland ports provide crucial speed-to-market for cargo owners. Inland Port Greer and Inland Port Dillon also extend our reach beyond the waterfront, ensuring we are a port for the entire state."

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2020/8/20 16:30:31