Advancing infrastructure projects at SC Ports

South Carolina Ports Authority is continuing to advance infrastructure projects, securing its position as the preferred U.S. container port ahead of an incredibly significant year.

SC Ports is investing more than $2 billion to build timely, world-class infrastructure, ensuring ample capacity and big-ship capabilities for decades to come.

In 2021, SC Ports will open the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, further enhance Wando Welch Terminal, deepen Charleston Harbor to 52 feet, welcome massive ship-to-shore cranes, expand Inland Port Greer, and celebrate Walmart building a new distribution center in the Charleston region as the port grows its cargo base.

“2021 will be a truly historic year for the port,” SC Ports President and CEO, Jim Newsome, said earlier this week.

“We will launch operations at the Leatherman Terminal in March, and we remain on track to have the deepest harbor on the East Coast. We are adding capacity to serve our customers, while growing and diversifying our cargo volumes. We bring great energy and optimism to the opportunities ahead of us.”

Newsome delivered his annual State of the Port Address virtually a couple of days ago, a first for the event, which is hosted by the Propeller Club of Charleston. The Propeller Club of Charleston has hosted the State of the Port for more than 50 years.

SC Ports will open Phase One of the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal in March, marking the country’s first container terminal in more than a decade.

The Leatherman Terminal will have a 1,400-foot wharf, five ship-to-shore cranes with 169 feet of lift height above the wharf deck, 25 hybrid rubber-tired gantry cranes, an expansive container yard, and optimized operations and technology – all designed to handle growing cargo volumes and 19,000-TEU vessels.

Phase One will add 700,000 TEUs of annual throughput capacity to the port.

At full build-out, the terminal will add 2.4 million TEUs of capacity to the port, doubling existing port capacity.

SC Ports will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Wando Welch Terminal next year.

Ongoing investments will yield 15 ship-to-shore cranes with 155 feet of lift height, 65 rubber-tired gantry cranes, a strong wharf to handle big ships, a new refrigerated container yard, efficient terminal operations and a capacity of 2.4 million TEUs.

The significant Charleston Harbor Deepening Project is fully funded and on schedule.

All five dredging contracts have been awarded.

The project, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, has received extraordinary backing from the S.C. Legislature, Congressional delegation and Trump Administration.

The 52-foot depth, combined with the widening of entrance channels and turning basins, will enable mega container ships to access port terminals any time without tidal restrictions. This strategic advantage is crucial to SC Ports’ infrastructure investments and global competitiveness.

“The recent arrival of the 15,072-TEU CMA CGM Brazil — the largest container ship to ever visit the East Coast — points to our successful long-term strategy of investing in port infrastructure and deepening our harbor to handle up to 19,000-TEU vessels next year,” Newsome said.

“In 2021, SC Ports will be able to handle four 14,000-TEU container ships simultaneously. We already expect even larger container vessels on the U.S. East Coast in 2021.”

SC Ports saw an opportunity to grow its cargo base with the boom in retail and e-commerce.

“We are pros at handling high-demand supply chain needs for the automotive and advanced manufacturing industry, which will translate seamlessly into supporting retail distribution,” Newsome said.

SC Ports’ efficient operations and available land in South Carolina are attractive to distribution center operators.

SC Ports also purchased 1,000 acres in Dorchester County to recruit retailers, which proved successful when Walmart announced its decision to invest $220 million into building a 3-million-square-foot distribution center in the Ridgeville Commerce Park.

Furthermore, the project will create 1,000 jobs and boost port volumes by 5%.

SC Ports finished fiscal year 2020 with relatively steady volumes, handling 2.32 million TEUs, despite the disruption caused by the global pandemic.

“Fiscal year 2020 was a truly transformational year for the port. We accomplished a great deal and made significant investments in our infrastructure amid great challenges,” Newsome said.

“I would like to thank the members of the maritime community for keeping freight moving and ensuring the timely delivery of goods during a global pandemic.”

SC Ports’ well-run operations and advantageous location in the booming Southeast market point to a strong rebound.

Also, the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 already reflects strength in containers, vehicles and inland ports.

“We are seeing a good recovery from the pandemic, and I’m very optimistic about the future. We believe in the strength of our port and our maritime community,” Newsome said.

“Our goal is to be the preferred port of the top 10 U.S. container ports, and we deliver on that every day. Companies know that they can rely on our efficient operations to get the job done and to meet their needs.”

In fact, South Carolina Ports Authority, established by the state’s General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer.

As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 225,000 statewide jobs and generate nearly $63.4 billion in annual economic activity.

SCPA is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet. Also, the port is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, ensuring reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility.