SC Ports Chases New Cargo to Fuel Manufacturing Growth

The South Carolina Port Authority is pursuing new cargo business and expanding its infrastructure as it works to strengthen the state's position in global trade.

SC Ports says it has secured commitments for nearly 160,000 containers of new business expected to come online through 2027, spanning retail, consumer goods, manufacturing, and export commodities.

In his second State of the Port address to a room of 1,200 stakeholders, SC Ports CEO Micah Mallace called for continuing to support growth of its core manufacturing customer base, while also diversifying the port’s cargo base with more consumer goods and refrigerated cargo to drive above-market growth for the port and for South Carolina.

“The port team, and our many maritime partners, made difficult changes to improve our business and competitive stance in an incredibly short amount of time, but cutting costs alone is not a path to growth,” Mallace said. “We are a highly productive port, with ample capacity, a customer-focused mindset, and the market fundamentals to thrive. We are perfectly positioned to achieve above-market growth, and we are now starting to see that momentum generate.”

Mallace also outlined efforts to reduce expenses and advance rail-served terminal capacity, including work involving North Charleston Terminal, Leatherman Terminal, and the Navy Base Intermodal Facility.

SC Ports has further strengthened its foothold in advanced manufacturing as companies that benefit from expansive intermodal connections opted to bring more business through the Inland Port in Greer, including the first container arriving this month for Isuzu’s new commercial truck plant in Greenville County, SC Ports said.

“Greater cargo access keeps our ports full, our supply chain deliveries on time, while decreasing cargo time on the pond,” said Brian Kuney, a VP for the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership. “While state incentives, quality of life, and an improving highway system do their part in bringing new investment to our state, it is the Port in Charleston making it all possible.”