South Carolina Ports Authority reported 10 percent fiscal year-to-date growth of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled through April at its two container terminals.
SCPA has moved 1.8 million TEUs since the 2017 fiscal year began last July. The port achieved the strongest April on record, with 189,315 TEUs handled last month, and exceeded April 2016 volumes by 20 percent. It was the second-highest single month in SCPA history, slightly behind the record 192,411 TEUs set in March.
Pier container, or box volume, is up 10 percent fiscal year to date. The Port handled 107,340 containers in April.
SCPA's non-containerized cargo volumes in Charleston through April are 6 percent ahead of plan, totaling 689,220 breakbulk tons since June. The port handled 54,426 tons last month.
Inland Port Greer rail moves were the strongest April on record, with 11,125 rail moves last month. Greer has experienced tremendous growth this fiscal year, with 95,999 rail moves to date.
"A record-breaking April in our container business segment as well as at Inland Port Greer is great news for the Port," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. "Our growth is broad-based with a good import-export balance, and while we expect to see container trade growth moderate over the foreseeable future, the Port is well-positioned to surpass our volume goals this fiscal year."
Maiden call of COSCO Development
On Saturday SCPA welcomed the maiden call of the COSCO Development, the largest vessel ever to call the U.S. East Coast. The port completed 2,910 crane moves on the vessel, the second-highest number of moves in SCPA history, before it sailed on Sunday evening.
"The arrival of the COSCO Development at East Coast ports was a milestone in our industry, and a reflection of the importance of our efforts to be big ship ready," Newsome said. "Our port and maritime community handled the maiden voyage of the COSCO Development with ease, and we look forward to efficiently handling many more vessels of the same size in the future."