The South Carolina Port Authority said that the record 207,066 equivalent twenty-foot units (TEUs) moved in November is evidence that global trade continues to recover from coronavirus forced shutdowns earlier this year.
This best November figure also represents a 12% year-on-year increase in the 184,928 TEUs handled at the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals in 2019.
“SC Ports had a truly remarkable month, with a record November for containers handled, as well as impressive results in our vehicles and port segments,” said President and CEO Jim Newsome in a statement released Monday.
SCPA handled 20,838 vehicles at the Columbus Street Terminal in Charleston Harbor in November, an increase of 4.5% year on year. Inland Port Greer reported 11,247 rail movements in November, an increase of 20% year on year, and Inland Port Dillon had a record in November with 3,077 rail movements, almost 28% more than 2019.
“SC Ports is well positioned to deal with the increased cargo volumes caused by the ongoing recovery and the expanding market in the Southeast,” said Newsome. “Our investments in strategic infrastructure are coming online at the right time. We look forward to opening the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal in March. “
SCPA said the first $ 1 billion phase of Leatherman Terminal development complements efforts to modernize the Wando Welch Terminal and deepen the port of Charleston to 52 feet, and that the investments will allow it to handle four 14,000 TEU vessels simultaneously in 2021, as well as a 19,000 TEU vessel.
Newsome also noted Walmart’s innovation last week for its 3 million square foot import distribution center in Ridgeville, South Carolina, which is expected to increase port volumes by 5% a year once it is operational.
Walmart is investing $ 220 million to build DC, which will create about 1,000 full-time jobs. The huge facility along Interstate 26 will take approximately 14 months to build. It will support approximately 850 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in South Carolina and beyond.
“We found great partners in South Carolina, Dorchester County and SC Ports for our new $ 220 million distribution center in Dorchester County, South Carolina,” said Greg Smith, executive vice president of supply chain at Walmart, in a Thursday’s groundbreaking statement. “SC Ports’ entrepreneurial mindset, efficient operations and excavator location on the Ridgeville Industrial Campus helped make this project a reality.
“SC Ports’ proven track record in addressing the high demand needs of the supply chain for the automotive industry gives us complete confidence in its ability to meet our retail and e-commerce distribution needs. We are excited about the impact this new distribution facility will have on the regional economy and how it will help us better serve customers across the Southeast, ”said Smith.
Newsome promised that SC Ports “will support investment through efficient handling of products imported from Walmart. Walmart is at the forefront of sophistication and supply chain performance, and its trust in us speaks for itself. This investment is a signal to large retailers that we are prepared to be a force in retail distribution and that we can meet your needs ”.
SC Ports purchased the 1,000-acre Ridgeville Industrial Campus in 2018 with the goal of creating a location for port-dependent businesses to locate. The United States Department of Transportation awarded SC Ports a grant of nearly $ 22 million to build on-site infrastructure for current and future tenants. Walmart is the site’s first tenant.
South Carolina’s Inland Ports Set Record
SCPA using BUILD funds to pave the way for Walmart’s distribution center
Walmart chooses location near Port of Charleston for distribution center
Click for more American Shipper / FreightWaves stories by senior editor Kim Link-Wills.