SCPAs Box Volume Up by 5.4 Pct

SCPA South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) recorded a 5.4 percent increase in container volume fiscal year to date, with 1.029,450 TEUs handled since the period began in July 2016. SCPA said that December was a solid finish to the second quarter of fiscal year 2017, with 164,480 TEUs moved last month, a year-over-year increase of nearly 14 percent. As measured in pier containers, or total box volume, SCPA handled 92,956 boxes last month, up 12.8 percent compared to the same month last year. Fiscal year to date pier container volume is up 5.4 percent, with 580,880 boxes moved at SCPAs North Charleston and Wando Welch container terminals. Port of Charleston handled 61,377 pier tons in December, pushing fiscal year to date volume to 422,120 pier tons moved across SCPA docks. Additionally, Charleston exceeded fiscal year to date plans by 8.5 percent. “The port is experiencing an all-time high container volume, with loaded imports and exports achieving over 7 percent growth,” Jim Newsome, SCPA President and CEO, said. “Looking ahead to the second half of our 2017 fiscal year, we remain cautiously optimistic as we continue to prepare for the deployment of 14,000 TEU ships and improve our existing infrastructure, Newsome added. SCPA owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston, Georgetown and Greer.