Port of Charleston TEUs lower on trade reset

But SC inland ports, vehicles gain in Q1

(Photo: SC Ports)

The Port of Charleston handled 212,363 TEUs in September, “a slight dip below planned volumes” as global trade constrictions settled across global shipping.

That compared to volume of 214,558 TEUs in September 2024.

SC Ports said in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 its recently-expanded Inland Port Greer saw 17,818 rail moves, up 18% y/y and a record September for the Upstate intermodal hub. As Japanese automaker Isuzu broke ground on its new production base in nearby Greenville County, Inland Port Dillon broke its monthly record with 4,888 rail moves, a 275% increase from September 2024.

“South Carolina’s ability to attract new business and grow statewide employment makes our port stronger,” said new SC Ports President and Chief Executive Micah Mallace, in a release.

Mallace said that a downturn in container traffic at the fourth-busiest East Coast port following the 90-day pause of retaliatory tariffs by China and the U.S. were compensated by growth in the inland port network and vehicle volumes.

A total of 16,122 vehicles were processed through the Columbus Street Terminal, up 6% y/y and the third consecutive month of year-over-year growth.

Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

Related coverage:

UN postpones decision on shipping carbon tax

Ocean freight rates plummet amid China chaos

Import surge drives new Q2 record for busiest U.S. port

Union hits Newsom veto of measure to block port automation

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Stuart Chirls

Stuart Chirls is a journalist who has covered the full breadth of railroads, intermodal, container shipping, ports, supply chain and logistics for Railway Age, the Journal of Commerce and IANA. He has also staffed at S&P, McGraw-Hill, United Business Media, Advance Media, Tribune Co., The New York Times Co., and worked in supply chain with BASF, the world's largest chemical producer. Reach him at stuartchirls@firecrown.com.