The container volume handled by the Port of Charleston increased 5.7 percent in March from a year earlier even though volume growth slowed from the 7 percent pace recorded in February.
March container throughput increased by 10.3 percent over February as Charleston's terminals handled 120,265 20-foot-equivalent units in March, compared to 108,994 TEUs in February.
In the first three quarters of the port's fiscal year ending June 30, container traffic increased 11.6 percent to 1,033,062 TEUs, up from 925,837 TEUs in the same period last year. In the nine-month period through March the state's breakbulk tonnage increased 48 percent, even as the pace of volume gains slowed.
"While the rate of growth is slowing from last year's initial volume recovery, we are still moving in the right direction," said Jim Newsome, president & CEO of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. "New distribution and manufacturing investments in the state and across the region, as well as export strength, will be felt in the coming months."
Vessel calls were also up for the nine-month period, rising 11 percent to 1,271 ships.
The Journal of Commerce Online
Login
.jpg)
