South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) is set to enhance supply chain efficiency with expanded service coverage in 2025, increasing the Port of Charleston’s weekly services from 25 to 29. This expansion will provide importers, exporters, and retailers with greater access to key international markets, reinforcing the port’s role as a critical logistics hub in the U.S. Southeast.

Read also: SC Ports Expand Rail Infrastructure Amid Stable Container Volumes

Enhanced Global Connections

SC Ports continues to serve as a premier gateway for trade, offering first-in calls from Asia and Europe to accelerate cargo flow between the U.S. Southeast and global markets.

“The Port of Charleston provides highly productive operations with sustained fluidity to quickly work ships,” said Barbara Melvin, SC Ports President and CEO. “We deliver reliable port service so our customers can focus on growing their businesses.”

Among the new weekly services:

1. Two first-in calls from Asia:

a. TP11/US1 (Maersk/Hapag-Lloyd)

b. Emerald/ZXB (MSC/ZIM), which boasts the fastest transit time from Vietnam to the South Atlantic.

2. Three first-in calls from Europe, strengthening manufacturers’ supply chains.

3. New direct service to Turkey and Israel (MSC’s EMUSA) starting in April, enhancing trade with the Eastern Mediterranean.

Charleston’s Deepwater Advantage

The Port of Charleston’s 52-foot-deep harbor, the deepest on the U.S. East Coast, allows ships to call without tidal restrictions. The port’s widened turning basins enable simultaneous access for multiple vessels, optimizing turnaround times and logistics efficiency.

February Volume Growth

SC Ports saw a strong February, driven by increased imports:

1. 225,532 TEUs handled, an 11% increase year-over-year.

2. 123,611 pier containers, up 10% from February 2024.

3. Inland Port Greer: 18,669 rail moves, up 18%, marking its second-best month ever.

4. Inland Port Dillon: 3,412 rail moves, slightly down but trending upward since December.

5. Automotive sector: 11,273 vehicles moved, down 28% year-over-year but poised for long-term growth with new investments in South Carolina.

Poised for Future Expansion

With South Carolina ranking No. 5 nationally in both population and GDP growth, SC Ports expects continued trade expansion. Plans for 10 million TEUs of capacity and an enhanced intermodal network will further cement Charleston’s role as a leading global shipping hub.