South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) processed 206,859 TEUs at its marine terminals in October 2025, reflecting a slight 1 per cent decline year-on-year.
The port recorded its best month for loaded exports since June, achieving an impressive 18 per cent annual increase in this segment — a bright spot amid national trade recalibrations.
The anticipated slowdown is consistent with wider trends across the US, where containerised imports dipped 7.5 per cent year-on-year in October, largely attributable to pre-emptive import surges earlier in the summer.
Responding to these logistics headwinds, SC Ports President and CEO Micah Mallace maintained a stance of operational resilience and collaboration with customers facing ongoing global disruption.
“While we expect the next few months to remain challenging for our industry, SC Ports’ remains focused on compensating for these declines,” Mallace commented.
“Our commitment to shippers is unchanged. SC Ports’ team stands ready to handle demanding freight, and the broader maritime community in Charleston will continue to provide the same dependable port service that our customers expect.”
Both inland terminals also posted performance that exceeded internal forecasts. Inland Port Greer completed 14,807 rail moves, though this marked a 7 per cent drop year-on-year.
In contrast, Inland Port Dillon saw a dramatic 176 per cent jump, totalling 4,887 rail moves in October.
On the automotive logistics front, Columbus Street Terminal handled 13,245 vehicles, 25 per cent fewer than the previous October, but vehicle traffic for the fiscal first quarter still came in 17 per cent above plan.
Despite a muted outlook for imports and vehicle activity, SC Ports stands to benefit from increased investment in the region by port-dependent businesses. Recent announcements include First Solar, Inc.’s plans to establish a $330 million facility in Gaffney, bringing 600 new jobs to the area in late 2026.
Mallace added, “South Carolina Ports has enjoyed a productive relationship with First Solar and is honoured by their choice of Cherokee County, South Carolina for this major investment. We congratulate First Solar and will continue to serve as a reliable, responsive port partner.”
