SC Ports’ inland ports benefit cargo owners’ supply chains
May 16, 2024
Retailers, manufacturers and agricultural producers are benefiting from South Carolina Ports’ inland port network.
Inland Port Dillon and Inland Port Greer provide daily dedicated rail service to and from the Port of Charleston. The inland ports speed imports and exports to market, with the added benefit of reducing overall carbon footprints, ancillary costs and transit times by moving more containers via rail.
Inland Port Dillon supports major retailers and agricultural producers in the Pee Dee region and throughout the Carolinas. Alongside CSX, the Dillon operation handles consumer goods, soybeans, forest products, cotton seed and agricultural products.
Inland Port Dillon had its highest monthly cargo volumes ever in April, handling 4,730 rail moves, a 26% year-over-year increase.
Inland Port Greer also had a strong month and a record April, moving 16,105 containers, which is up 20% from last year. Alongside Norfolk Southern, Inland Port Greer handles goods for advanced manufacturers, mega retailers and consumer goods industries across the region.
Inland Port Greer’s cargo base has diversified since opening in 2013, and many of these companies have invested in the Upstate to take advantage of the inland port. Inland Port Greer is now undergoing an expansion that will double its cargo capacity.
“Our inland ports are seeing cargo increases month after month as more port-dependent businesses take advantage of the reliable, swift and direct rail connection between the Port of Charleston and inland markets,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “Our inland ports are an example of what we do best — strategically invest to deliver a creative solution that further supports importers and exporters.”
The Port of Charleston provides efficient, productive port service and the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet.
Container volumes remained steady at SC Ports’ marine terminals, with SC Ports and the broader maritime community handling 215,058 TEUs and 119,840 pier containers last month.
The automotive sector reflected strength at SC Ports, with 18,118 vehicles rolling across its docks last month. Monthly vehicle volumes are up 40% from last year.
“We are expanding port capacity and capabilities ahead of demand to efficiently handle goods for our customers,” Melvin said. “We are proud to offer reliable, efficient port service to the booming Southeast market.”
About South Carolina Ports
South Carolina Ports owns and operates marine terminals at the Port of Charleston and two rail-served inland ports in Greer and Dillon. As the 8th largest U.S. container port, SC Ports connects port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast and beyond to global markets. SC Ports proactively invests in infrastructure ahead of demand to provide reliable service, efficient operations, cargo capacity, an expansive rail network and the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet. SC Ports is a vital economic engine for South Carolina, with port operations supporting 1 in 9 jobs statewide. Learn more: scspa.com.
