SC Ports Rail Success FY25: Record Moves, Infrastructure Growth

South Carolina Ports Achieve Record Rail Performance in Fiscal Year 2025

South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) concluded fiscal year 2025 on June 30th with a resounding success story, marked by record-breaking rail movements and sustained growth in container volume, port officials announced yesterday. This achievement underscores the strategic importance of rail infrastructure in supporting the port’s overall performance and its commitment to serving the expanding needs of the Southeast market. The figures reveal a clear upward trajectory, driven by significant gains in rail cargo and strategic infrastructure investments. This article will delve into the details of SC Ports’ recent successes, analyzing the key drivers behind their growth and their implications for the future of rail transportation in the region. The Who: South Carolina Ports. The What: Record rail moves and container volume growth. The When: Fiscal Year 2025, ending June 30th. The Where: Port of Charleston, Inland Port Greer, and Inland Port Dillon. The Why: Strategic investments in rail infrastructure and growing demand. The How: Increased rail moves and a surge in container volume, supported by recently completed expansions.

Container Volume Growth: A Steady Climb

SC Ports handled a robust 2.6 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in FY2025, representing a 3% increase compared to the previous year. This steady growth in container volume reflects the port’s enduring appeal as a critical gateway for both imports and exports. The sustained handling capacity demonstrates the port’s ability to facilitate trade and handle the evolving demands of its customers and is further supplemented by their inland rail ports. This growth is a testament to the port’s operational efficiency and its robust infrastructure, capable of accommodating increasing cargo volumes.

Rail Cargo Ascends: A Cornerstone of Growth

The growth of goods transported via rail is a key highlight of the fiscal year’s performance. Rail-based cargo, moving between the Port of Charleston and SC Ports’ two inland ports, Greer and Dillon, experienced a notable 4% surge during FY2025. This significant increase underscores the strategic importance of rail connectivity in supporting the port’s overall operations and its ability to serve the needs of the Southeast market. The advantages of rail transport, including efficiency, reliability, and reduced congestion, are clearly contributing to this positive trend.

Inland Port Greer: A Record-Breaking Performance

Inland Port Greer emerged as a star performer, achieving a record-breaking FY25 with a total of 205,523 rail moves, marking nearly a 10% increase from FY24. Significantly, this represents the first time that Inland Port Greer has exceeded 200,000 rail moves in a single year. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy, especially as it comes on the heels of the recently completed expansion, which doubled its cargo capacity. This investment in infrastructure, combined with efficient operations, has positioned Inland Port Greer as a vital hub for rail cargo.

Inland Port Dillon: Maintaining Steady Performance

While Inland Port Greer celebrated record-breaking numbers, Inland Port Dillon maintained a steady volume throughout FY25, with a total of 33,838 rail moves. This demonstrates that the Inland Port Dillon is an important part of the transport system, even while not showing the same record breaking statistics as Inland Port Greer.

Conclusion

The impressive performance of South Carolina Ports in fiscal year 2025 signals a positive outlook for the future of rail transportation in the region. The record-breaking rail movements at Inland Port Greer, combined with the steady growth in container volume and overall rail cargo, demonstrate the effectiveness of strategic infrastructure investments and a commitment to operational excellence. This success reinforces the importance of rail in supporting the port’s operations and its role in serving the needs of mega-retailers, manufacturers, shippers of refrigerated goods, farmers, and small businesses. The 4% growth in rail volume, especially when measured against the backdrop of ongoing supply chain challenges, is particularly encouraging, indicating the industry’s resilience and adaptability. Looking ahead, continued investment in rail infrastructure and further optimization of operations will be essential to sustain this momentum and ensure SC Ports remains a key player in the global trade landscape. The port’s ability to efficiently connect to the U.S. Southeast market, and its commitment to further expansion, positions it well for continued success in the years to come.