In 2025 the South Carolina Ports Authority volumes were again up, and infrastructure improvements have added reach to the gateway.
The South Carolina Ports Authority has continued to handle significant volumes of containerized cargo in 2025, while making strategic investments to expand its reach, support rail connectivity, and maintain its position as a consistent and reliable partner for Beneficial Cargo Owners (BCOs).
Like many ports on both the East and West coasts of the US, the South Carolina ports are navigating geopolitical factors, trade shifts, and tariff uncertainty, while maintaining a focus on efficient operations and customer service.
Inland Ports Provide Expanded Reach and Efficiency
Another inland port benefiting importers and exporters is Inland Port Dillon, located near I-95, which provides an efficient way to move cargo to and from the Port of Charleston.
“It’s especially attractive to exporters in the region as it provides an efficient way to source empty containers and have them return loaded for exporting in the fastest possible turn time,” said a Port representative.
Near-Dock Facilities Support Intermodal Transportation
The Navy Base Intermodal Facility (NBIF) gives importers a near-dock rail option that is expected to speed goods to market more efficiently from the Port of Charleston to Inland Ports in Greer and Dillon, and beyond to markets throughout the Southeast, including Atlanta, Nashville, Louisville, and Memphis.
“When it opens, it will be a dual-served facility capable of handling one million rail lifts a year,” said a Port official. “The facility will include 80,000 feet of track and six electric rail-mounted gantry cranes.”
Leatherman Terminal Reopens
The NBIF is linked to the Leatherman Terminal via a one-mile drayage road and is located near Interstate 26. Reopening the Leatherman Terminal will provide the port with the capacity to handle an additional 700,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), particularly in preparation for the expected increase in traffic from Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent soon.
According to Port officials, phase two of the terminal expansion is also underway and will add 1,600 feet of wharf. This will give the terminal a second berth to handle the world’s largest container ships and provide room for up to five additional ship-to-shore (STS) cranes.
The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest container shipping line, launched two new weekly services at the Port of Charleston’s Leatherman Terminal last September.
The Albatross and Dragon services, both transatlantic services, connect shippers in the Southeastern US with North Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia. Both services will deploy 15,000 TEU vessels, among the largest weekly services, to call the Port of Charleston.
Trade Shifts and Tariff Changes Can Impact Port Operations
As ports grow and expand, handling volume increases, and consistent, reliable service may be more difficult to maintain. The South Carolina Ports are often ranked among the most productive ports in the world, according to port officials.
“We have the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet deep, are the only East Coast port to offer 0100 vessel start times,” said a port representative. Adding that “The STS crane operators at the Port of Charleston average about 34 crane moves per hour.”
These steps to maintain consistent, reliable service are a result of the efforts of the ports’ operation teams, which work quickly to move vessels in and out of Charleston Harbor.
The South Carolina Ports, like many located on the East Coast of the US, must navigate factors they cannot control, including geopolitical changes and trade shifts, as well as global supply chain disruptions that can also impact port volumes. Finally, changing US tariffs and trade policies.
Red-Sea Rerouting, Supply Chain Disruptions
Attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have forced many vessels to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding time and cost to voyages. These diversions have contributed to increased cargo volumes at the Port of Charleston and other East Coast ports. Global supply chain disruptions, like the pandemic, have prompted shippers to shift cargo to East Coast and Gulf ports to avoid congestion at West Coast ports.
The South Carolina ports have consistently added infrastructure to support growth, while seeking operational efficiencies on an ongoing basis.
Other factors such as tariff policies and other regulatory programs, like those proposed for Chinese-built ships or those impacting automotive imports, are just a few of the factors that the South Carolina Ports must constantly monitor and follow.
“This is a wait-and-see situation,” said a port representative. “But the Port of Charleston benefits from diverse trade lanes, which will certainly help blunt some of the impact.”
South Carolina Ports Provides $87 billion in Economic Benefits
Over the years, South Carolina Ports has gained a competitive position as a major container hub, handling a significant volume of containerized cargo. With deepwater access and extensive infrastructure, the port has a large container yard, numerous reefer slots, and advanced technology systems to drive operational efficiency. The ports are also major economic contributors to the state and its residents.
The South Carolina Ports’ operations, and all activities associated with SC Ports, generate a nearly $87 billion economic impact on South Carolina each year. This figure reflects the dollar value of all final goods and services in South Carolina that can be attributed to South Carolina Ports.
The ports of South Carolina have been one of the state’s most important resources for hundreds of years. In fact, one of the primary reasons for the initial founding of the city of Charleston in 1670 was to take advantage of its natural seaport to facilitate the export of cotton.
According to the South Carolina Ports website, “The ports are an economic engine for South Carolina, driving business growth and investment. As new jobs are created, this economic impact can be felt in our communities as people buy homes, spend at local stores, and build strong foundations for their families.”
