South Carolina Ports secures new cargo business as expansion progresses

South Carolina Ports has secured nearly 160,000 containers of new business as it works to strengthen its competitive position and expand cargo activity through the Port of Charleston.

Speaking at the State of the Port address on 27 October 2026, President and CEO Micah Mallace outlined the port authority’s progress in reducing operating expenses, attracting additional customers and advancing infrastructure projects. The new business, covering retail, consumer goods, manufacturing and export commodities, is expected to come online progressively through 2027.

The port authority also reported a 20% reduction in expenses over the past year, following measures introduced to improve cost efficiency and bring its rates closer to those of competing ports. The changes form part of a broader strategy to attract additional cargo while maintaining service reliability and operational capacity.

New cargo commitments support growth strategy

According to SC Ports, the new business includes commitments from national retail brands and major importers selecting Charleston as a gateway for shipments into the southeastern United States. A new near-port transloading facility serving a global retailer has also opened, supporting the port’s efforts to diversify its cargo base.

The port authority is seeking to build on its established manufacturing customer base while attracting more consumer goods and refrigerated cargo. Mallace identified retail distribution and cold-chain logistics as areas offering opportunities for additional cargo activity.

SC Ports also reported increased business linked to advanced manufacturing and inland rail connections. Inland Port Greer received the first container for Isuzu’s new commercial truck plant in Greenville County during October, reflecting the role of intermodal facilities in supporting industrial supply chains.

The authority highlighted wider logistics development in the Charleston region, citing figures from Cushman & Wakefield showing that approximately five million square feet of industrial space had been leased during 2026. SC Ports said it had supported several major leasing transactions expected to contribute to future cargo activity.

The newly secured container business represents commercial commitments rather than volumes already handled by the port. SC Ports expects the additional traffic to materialise as customers begin or expand operations through 2027.

Terminal and rail infrastructure remain priorities

Alongside its commercial initiatives, SC Ports is advancing infrastructure projects intended to increase cargo-handling capacity and improve connections with inland markets.

Work has begun on expanding the rail-served North Charleston Terminal, with the project expected to create opportunities for additional cargo activity in the near term and greater container capacity over the longer term.

The port authority is also continuing efforts to resume operations at Leatherman Terminal and bring the Navy Base Intermodal Facility into service. Both developments are part of its strategy to strengthen rail connectivity between Charleston and inland distribution and manufacturing centres.

Mallace emphasised the importance of intermodal transport in supporting the port’s competitiveness, particularly as customers seek efficient rail connections to markets beyond the immediate coastal region.

The authority has also introduced a more data-driven approach to operations, placing greater emphasis on performance indicators, safety and service reliability.

Despite the new commercial commitments, SC Ports acknowledged that cargo volumes remain below previous levels. The port authority expects its customer agreements and infrastructure investments to contribute to future growth as additional business becomes operational.

The latest developments reflect a strategy combining cost control, cargo diversification and infrastructure investment, with SC Ports seeking to translate newly secured business into sustained container traffic over the coming years.