Staff Report
Published Sept. 18, 2012

The S.C. State Ports Authority recorded a seventh straight month of year-over-year container growth in August, when it saw a 19.3% gain in box volume compared to the same month last year.

Jim Newsome, CEO of the S.C. State Ports Authority

In August, the port handled 137,000 20-foot-equivalent units, or TEUs, a common measurement in the industry, according to a news release from the ports authority.

August was the second strongest month for container volume since October 2008.

Break-bulk tonnage also increased 35.5% compared to August 2011, and the port handled 151,000 tons in Charleston and Georgetown.

“We continue to focus on growing our cargo base, as reflected in strong gains in loaded exports, while we also increase service coverage in our port,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the ports authority. “In addition to the two new services that commenced this summer, we will be welcoming the first call of the Oceania service next week.”

September brings the first call of a new service from Hamburg Sud, which will connect Charleston to Australia and New Zealand. The Bahia Grande is scheduled to call on the Wando Welch Terminal Sept. 21.

The ports authority also announced an award it received from Logistics Management, whose readers named the Port of Charleston the top port in the South.

Previous coverage

S.C. State Ports Authority reports 7.4% jump in container volume
Charleston takes Australia, New Zealand shipping service from Savannah
Charleston port announces third new shipping service of the year