CONTAINER volume in the Port of Charleston increased 5.7 per cent to 1.6 million TEU year on year in 2013, the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) announced.
Container rail shipments grew 18 per cent in 2013 at across SCPA ports and by 50 per cent since 2011. This represents a strong segment of overall port volume supported by the RapidRail drayage programme.
During the first half of the fiscal year, ending December 2013, the Charleston saw a 5.4 per cent increase in box volume.
"We typically see a modest first quarter of the calendar year followed by a stronger second quarter, and we expect 2014 to follow a similar trend," said SCPA chief executive Jim Newsome.
"Much of our growth from April to June will be impacted by developments in export business and the implementation of the mega-alliance deployments by ocean carriers, if and when approved," he said.
The year was marked by the successful opening by SCPA of the Inland Port and significant progress of both the construction of the Navy Base container terminal and the Post-45 harbour deepening project.
A further two projects for the North Charleston terminal, including replacement of the current reefer overhead electrical network with an underground service and surface upgrades to the RTG container storage area to increase storage capacity has been proposed to the board.
In addition, a maintenance repair project for the Columbus Street Terminal substructure was reviewed. Final bids on all three projects will be presented to the board for approval at the February meeting.
