SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
SOUTH CAROLINA TRADE AND LOGISTICS
Growth roadmap
South Carolina Ports positioned to serve a flourishing market
By Janet Nodar
In 2026, South Carolina’ s economy grew by 2.5 %, outpacing regional growth of 2.2 % and reinforced by a long list of investments, particularly in manufacturing. Aerospace manufacturers Boeing and GE Aerospace will spend $ 1 billion and $ 33 million, respectively, to expand their Palmetto State manufacturing facilities. Additionally, automakers including Volvo and Scout Motors are investing in the state, as are food processing, solar manufacturing and advanced materials facilities, noted TD Economics, part of the TD Bank Group, in a June report.
These investments and growth trajectory bode well for the future of South Carolina’ s regional and global cargo trade— and for the South Carolina Ports Authority( SC Ports).
Overall, South Carolina remains one of the fastest-growing states in the US, with population, employment and overall income increasing during 2026 despite some softening from historical averages. Its labor force grew at 2.9 %, the fastest pace on the East Coast, and the state is expected to remain a top performer in 2027, according to the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office.
As the eighth-largest container port in the US, the Port of Charleston connects businesses across the Southeast to markets worldwide with 28 weekly services. Additionally, South Carolina’ s Charleston Harbor is the deepest harbor on the East Coast, boasting a 52-foot depth and highly efficient port operations, along with two-rail served inland ports in Dillon and Greer.
According to SC Ports’ 2025 annual report, there are also plans to expand intermodal connections with a near-port rail yard at the Navy Base Intermodal Facility, and additional dedicated truck and drayage access adjacent to the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal.
Shifting focus
SC Ports has begun prioritizing opportunities for growth rather than focusing on long-cycle infrastructure investment, according to SC Ports President and CEO Micah Mallace’ s October 2025 State of the Port address.
Because the Southeast is expecting strong population growth through 2050, the port has already invested heavily in long-cycle infrastructure. Now, immediate growth is“ the critical path forward,” Mallace said. Success will require working with partners and“ a focus on revenuegenerating infrastructure [ and offering ] creative solutions and white-glove service to BCOs [ beneficial cargo owners ].”
“ Bring your challenges, hardest supply chains and most demanding freight to South Carolina ports. We will provide a consultative approach,” Mallace added, noting that the port“ is intended to be a force of good. The team at the port seeks to serve the many stakeholders, and their families, who depend on us to deliver growth.”
Despite uncertainty stemming from global trade issues, SC Ports saw 3 % growth in container volumes during fiscal year 2025, moving a range of goods including chemicals, retail goods, automotive parts, manufacturing components and refrigerated goods.
Mallace oversees all port facilities, including Wando Welch, its largest terminal, which moves just under 80 % of the ports’ annual volume; Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, which recently announced a temporary closure; and North Charleston Terminal, which handles approximately 22 % of annual cargo.
SC Ports handled 2.6 million TEUs during FY 2025, a 3 % increase year over year. Its largest clients include Walmart, which has a 3 million-square-foot distribution center in nearby Ridgeville, SC, as well as BMW and Mercedes-Benz Vans.
These businesses motivate carriers to call SC Ports, Mallace said.
Mallace also oversees inland ports Dillon and Greer. Rail cargo is an important growth area, with goods moving via rail increasing 4 % in FY 2025. The port handled 239,361 inland port rail lifts, 165,949 finished vehicles and 702,998( US) tons of breakbulk cargo in addition to TEUs, according to the 2025 annual report. The fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.
Inland Port Greer, which opened in October 2013, supports 200,000 to 300,000 rail lifts annually. An additional 9,000 feet of rail track was added to Greer in October 2025, further supporting the upstate manufacturing base, including just-in-time manufacturing. Typical export products include finished vehicles and tires. Inland Port Dillon, which opened in April 2018, serves eastern South Carolina’ s large agricultural base. With a focus on operational volumes and agricultural exports, the port handled 48,671 rail containers in 2025, a 33 % year-over-year increase and its busiest calendar year on record.
A calming force
Despite forces currently disrupting global trade, SC Ports is known for its reliability and productivity, noted Byron Miller, chief commercial officer of SC Ports. Miller oversees all shipper and ocean carrier customer relationships.
“ We like to be a calming force. If you can remove obstructions or challenges, that’ s one less thing for a supply chain person to worry about. We are a working port, super aggressive in terms of productivity, and we are solutions-oriented with both carriers and BCOs,” he said.
Although overall global trade growth has not been vast over the last 12 months, growth is predicted for the Southeast and“ businesses and people need partners www. joc. com October 5, 2026 | Journal of Commerce 53