It should come as no surprise to learn that South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) managed to finish 2020 with record numbers, considering the year is notorious for the insurmountable disruption felt by the international and domestic trade arenas. SCPA proved once again that when it comes to breaking new records, there’s no time like the present – even in the middle of a pandemic.

“The pandemic created unprecedented challenges to supply chains around the world,” SC Ports President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “I am immensely proud of our port employees and all those working in the maritime and logistics community for showing up every day during a pandemic to keep supply chains fluid. Their dedication ensures that food products, medical supplies, manufacturing parts and retail goods are efficiently delivered. We are grateful to them, and we look forward to a brighter 2021.”

The ports’ Wando Welch and North Charleston terminals saw an increase of 11.6 percent thanks to the 209,606 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) handled in December. Cargo boxes of all sizes were also moved at record numbers. The port confirmed 116,685 pier containers in December (including the aforementioned cargo boxes) at an increase of 10.3 percent.

SCPA cited the vehicles as the most significant in terms of volume. A total of 21,228 vehicles were handled in December alone. This total set a new overall monthly record for the port and represents a whopping 29.2 percent increase.

The rail side of operations saw robust numbers throughout December as well with a  total of 16,463 rail moves recorded between Inland Port Greer (13,523) and Inland Port Dillon (2,940). Although Inland Port Dillon’s rail moves were confirmed to be down by 2.9 percent, Inland Port Greer saw an increase of 26 percent in rail moves compared to last year.

So far for FY2021, SCPA has handled more than 1.2 million TEUs, moved 135,747 vehicles across the docks at Columbus Street Terminal, and continued efforts for the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project and Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal.