Charleston Reporter

The South Carolina Ports had a record year in 2021.

Jim Newsome, SC Ports CEO, credits the port’s employees. “2021 was a truly banner year for South Carolina Ports," Newsome told the South Carolina Ports website. "Amid tremendous and ongoing supply chain challenges, we handled record-breaking cargo volumes, while consistently providing capacity and fluidity for our customers. The strength of our port continues to be in the quality of our workforce and excellent maritime community.”

Newsome said the Port invested billions of dollars to upgrade its infrastructure.

“Big retailers continue to grow, increasing their need for a reliable partner in the supply chain,” Newsome said, according to the South Carolina Ports website. “SC Ports provides capacity for retailers as record retail imports flow into the Port of Charleston. By investing more than $2 billion in port infrastructure, SC Ports provides much-needed supply chain fluidity for customers.”

SC Ports handled 2.75 million 20-foot equivalent container units at Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal and Hugh Leatherman Terminal in 2021. This is a 19% increase from 2020 and a 13% increase from 2019.

“In 2021, we hired over 100 people in operations to support cargo growth and worked tirelessly to keep freight moving through the Southeast supply chain,” SC Ports COO Barbara Melvin said, according to South Carolina Ports website. “Our impressive cargo growth and efficient port terminals are made possible by our excellent port team, maritime community and logistics partners.”

SC Ports handled 1.53 million pier containers — which includes containers of any size — in 2021. This represents an 18% increase from 2020 and an 11% increase from 2019.

“Growth at SC Ports benefits South Carolina’s economy and spurs job creation in our communities,” SC Ports Board Chairman Bill Stern told the South Carolina Ports website. “We must work together to ensure South Carolina’s supply chain remains fluid and capable. Our shared vision makes us successful.”

SC Ports set monthly year-over-year container records for ten consecutive months in 2021, from March through December. Much of the cargo growth stems from consumers buying more retail goods during the COVID-19 pandemic.