Charleston: Best quarter since 2008
The Port of Charleston posted its best quarter for container shipments since 2008, said the South Carolina State Ports Authority.
Charleston container volume for July through September totaled 352,295 TEUs, up 18 percent from the same period last year (299,531 TEUs), slightly above the previous quarter (351,923 TEUs) and ahead of plan by 5 percent.
| Newsome |
Two Asia shipping services began calling Charleston earlier this year, and a number of specific cargo development initiatives are paying dividends, said Jim Newsome, the port authority's president and chief executive officer.
“Charleston's back on track and this growth is very encouraging,' Newsome said. 'Refrigerated cargo and agricultural products have shown solid growth, and Charleston's reach is expanding. More than 20,000 companies across the U.S. now rely on the Port of Charleston to access overseas markets.'
The port said several major industry expansions in the state will generate new port business in the coming months, including BMW's newest X3 assembly line and TBC/Tire Kingdom's new 1.1 million-square-foot distribution center near the port.