Original news was published 08 November, 2017

Savannah and Charleston have both reported golden October container traffic numbers.

Container trade at the Port of Savannah grew by 32% in October, with Garden City Terminal moving 410,000 TEU, an increase of nearly 100,000 TEU on October 2016. It was the first time in the port's history that it topped 400,000 TEU in a single month. For the fiscal year to date (July 1st-October 31st), the Port of Savannah has moved 1.42M TEU, up by 155,050 or 12.3%.

"Since the opening of the expanded Panama Canal, Garden City Terminal has experienced meteoric growth," said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. "We're now handling more ships, bigger vessels and larger cargo exchanges.

"By working more weekly vessel calls than any other East Coast port, and serving more neopanamax ships than any other port in the US Southeast, Savannah has strengthened its position as a vital gateway to the global marketplace."

South Carolina Ports Authority has reported its strongest October on record, with 184,804 TEU.

Fiscal year-to-date (July 1st-October 31st), TEU volume is up 5%, with 724,799 TEU handled. "Container growth in October was broad-based across multiple segments, with particular strength of export loaded containers," said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO.

"All indicators are that the US port market will continue to grow, based on good performance of the global economy. We look forward to the addition of container volume from major manufacturing operations such as Volvo Cars, Samsung Electronics and Mercedes Vans going into 2018."

As measured in pier containers, or boxes handled, SCPA moved a record 105,208 containers across the docks of its two container terminals in October, surpassing the previous October record of 102,413 pier containers in 2004. Fiscal year to date, pier container volume is up 5.7% with 410,856 boxes handled July through October.

SCPA's Inland Port Greer also achieved its strongest October since the facility opened in November 2013, with 11,773 rail moves handled last month.

*NEWS SOURCE