The South Carolina Ports Authority reported fiscal year-over-year growth through February, with 4.4 percent gains in container volume since the 2016 fiscal year began in July.

SCPA handled 157,962 twenty foot-equivalent units (TEU) in February, an increase of 3.3 percent over February 2015. SCPA’s total fiscal year-to-date container volume reached nearly 1.28 million TEU last month, compared to 1.23 TEU handled during the same period last year.

Pier container volume, or boxes handled, totaled 88,643 containers in February. Fiscal year to date, 721,810 total containers have moved across the docks of SCPA’s two container terminals.

“February volumes showed modest increases over last year, and we expect continued moderate upticks in our volumes through the spring,” said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO.

Non-containerized cargo volumes were strong, with 66,619 pier tons handled in Charleston in February. Total fiscal year-to-date breakbulk volume is nearly 31 percent ahead of plan, with 799,687 pier tons handled during the period.

The Inland Port handled 8,623 rail moves in February, its highest ever monthly volume since the facility opened in November 2013. Fiscal year-to-date rail moves have increased nearly 66 percent, with 58,211 moves since July.

The SCPA board approved two contracts advancing the progress of the Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr. Terminal, including construction quality assurance services and site preparation.

The board also approved plans to purchase a 185-foot boom lift truck for Wando Welch Terminal. The truck will be used for service and maintenance activities performed on SCPA’s two new super post-Panamax cranes, which are scheduled to be delivered in late May.