BMW helps Port of Charleston achieve March record

CHARLESTON, SC: April 11, 2018. The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) reports an all-time record in March container volume with a four percent increase year-on-year to 199,659 TEUs handled.

“The record volumes achieved by our port in March reflect seasonally strong volume in all segments combined with the further deployment of big container ships to the U.S. East Coast,” said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. “SCPA’s significant investment in terminal infrastructure is bearing fruit in terms of operational efficiency.”

Charleston harbor The Port of Charleston has handled 909,614 pier containers since July, two percent more than the same fiscal period last year.

March also marked a record for finished vehicles, with 28,391 moving through SCPA’s Columbus Street Terminal as breakbulk shipments totaled 80,683 tons during the month.

BMW Manufacturing exported 272,346 BMW X models from its Greer, SC plant last year. Nearly 87 percent of the vehicles, valued at over US$8.76 billion, were shipped via the Port of Charleston, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The remaining 13 percent were exported through five other East Coast ports: Savannah, GA; Brunswick, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Miami, FL; and Everglades, FL.

“BMW X models manufactured in South Carolina continue to be a major contributor to the BMW Group’s success,” said Knudt Flor, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. “Plant Spartanburg’s achievement as the country’s leading automotive exporter demonstrates BMW’s trusted partnership with this state, its contribution to the U.S. balance of trade, and its commitment to the United States,” he added.

SCPA says its Inland Port Greer, next to BMW Manufacturing some 26 miles from Spartanburg, handled 10,612 rail moves last month with year-to-date volume nearly three percent higher than 2017.

“BMW is a leader in automotive manufacturing and driver of both import and export volume growth of the port,” said Newsome. “As customers of both Inland Port Greer and the Port of Charleston, BMW’s multiple expansions have been exciting opportunities for the port, and we value our role in its international supply chain.”