S.C. port traffic eclipses $ 30 billion in 2000

Charleston, SC – South Carolina’s seaports handled goods valued at nearly
$33 billion in 2000, marking an all-time record and an increase of 10% over
the previous year, according to recently released federal trade data. This
translates into $89 million in cargo everyday.

The Charleston Custom District ranked 6th nationwide in the value of
waterborne commerce, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Trade Data Branch report FT920 noted. Port districts ahead of Charleston were Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Houston/Galveston, Seattle/Tacoma and New Orleans.

Export growth outpaced imports last year for the Charleston district,
increasing 11%. Nationwide, the value of waterborne trade increased 17% in
2000.

Since 1994, the value of goods moving by sea through the Charleston district has nearly doubled, increasing 91% from $17 billion to $33 billion. This is the fastest rate of growth among the nation’s top 10 ports and more than double the national growth rate.

Contact:
SC State Ports Authority — http://www.port-of-charleston.com
PO Box 22287
Charleston, SC 29413-2287
Phone 843-577-8121
Fax 843-577-8127