SCPA container volume climbs nearly four percent
April 22, 2016
Inland Port Greer achieves consecutive months of record-breaking volumes
GAFFNEY, SC – South Carolina Ports Authority reported a 3.8 percent increase in twenty foot-equivalent unit (TEU) volume fiscal year to date, with 1.45 million TEUs handled since the period began in July.
March was a solid finish to the third quarter of fiscal year 2016, with 170,740 TEUs moved last month. From a calendar year to date perspective, year-over-year container volume was fairly flat through March, with 473,794 TEUs handled.
As measured in pier containers, or total box volume, SCPA handled 96,123 containers in March. Fiscal year to date, SCPA has moved 817,933 containers across the docks of its Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals.
“March volumes reflect the modest uptick we expected going into the spring, which is traditionally a seasonally strong time for SCPA,” said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO.
Charleston’s non-containerized freight volumes through March exceeded fiscal year plans by 32 percent. Charleston moved 80,891 tons last month, with 671,545 pier tons handled fiscal year to date.
Vehicles remain a strong segment within the breakbulk business segment, and SCPA handled 25,839 vehicles in March. Fiscal year to date, finished vehicle volume is up 13 percent compared to the previous year.
Inland Port Greer handled 8,821 rail moves in March, achieving consecutive months of record-breaking volume. Fiscal year to date moves are up 66 percent, with 67,032 lifts since July.
Board Action
The Board adopted a resolution directing SCPA to move forward with a contract for the sale of its main office at 176 Concord Street in Charleston. SCPA accepted bids for the property from February 1 through April 15. Pending receipt of the additional earnest money required by the buyer, a 120-day due diligence period will begin. Details about the property and sales process are available at www.176concordstreet.com.
Local Students Name Inland Port Greer Cranes
Two Greer elementary students earned $500 from SCPA for their schools, thanks to their winning entries in a Port contest to name cranes at the Inland Port Greer.
The Port partnered with five elementary schools, including Buena Vista, Chandler Creek, Crestview, Skyland and Woodland, for the contest during the month of February. Third through fifth grade students submitted names for two rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs), which move loaded containers on and off trains, trucks and throughout the container yard. Over 140 student entries were received.
A team of SCPA employees selected the following two entries, which have been painted onto the RTG cranes: Cranefu Panda, submitted by Crestview Elementary School third grade student Emily Salvato, and Carolina Crane, submitted by Chandler Creek Elementary School fifth grader Abigail Stefanacci.
Crestview Elementary School third-grade student Emily Salvato stands in front of the Inland Port Greer rubber-tired gantry crane she named “Cranefu Panda.”
