Leatherman Terminal Reopening Fuels SC Ports’ Massive 8% Container Surge in September

South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) has reported an impressive 8% year-over-year increase in container volumes for September 2024, marking a robust start to the fiscal year 2025.

The surge in activity is largely attributed to the reopening of the Leatherman Terminal and a spike in imports through the Port of Charleston.

The reopening of the Leatherman Terminal, which had been sidelined due to a prolonged legal dispute with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), has injected new life into the port’s operations. This state-of-the-art facility, which first opened its doors in 2021 as the first new container terminal in the United States since 2009, now brings an additional 700,000 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) of capacity and a 1,400-foot berth back online.

The impact of the Leatherman Terminal’s reopening was immediately felt.

“This weekly service is the first of many to come, and we celebrate seeing cargo moving through the terminal once again. The reopening of Leatherman Terminal makes our entire port system more competitive in the Southeast port market,” said SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin.

Within a month of its reopening, the terminal has already serviced eight ships, including a weekly first-in-Asia service from ZIM.

In September, SC Ports, in collaboration with ILA partners, handled 214,558 TEUs and 118,306 pier containers, representing increases of 8% and 7% respectively compared to the previous year.

Notably, loaded imports surged by 14% as shippers increased operations in anticipation of a brief work stoppage in early October. The ILA initiated a three-day strike before reaching a tentative agreement with the U.S. Maritime Alliance to extend the current Master Contract until January, allowing negotiations to continue.

Looking at SC Ports’ first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the port handled an impressive 638,000 TEUs and 352,803 pier containers, reflecting a 5% increase from the same period last year.

September’s success wasn’t limited to seaborne trade. SC Ports’ two rail-served inland ports continue to play a crucial role in connecting the Port of Charleston with inland markets. Inland Port Greer, in particular, saw a 3% year-over-year increase in September, handling 15,133 rail moves. The combined performance of the inland ports for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 is even more impressive, with 58,289 rail moves representing a 6% increase from the previous year.

Diversification appears to be a key strategy for SC Ports, as evidenced by the handling of 15,223 vehicles and 18,149 cruise passengers in September alone.

“By delivering reliable, productive and consistent port service, SC Ports strives to be shippers’ preferred gateway to the Southeast,” said Barbara Melvin.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up