South Carolina’s port authority, SC Ports, said it plans to expand roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) operations to its rail-served North Charleston Terminal as a way to support the state’s automotive industry.
The SC Ports Board of Directors voted recently to approve the design contract, the first step in the expansion process. The board will also vote to further expand SC Ports’ ro-ro capacity and capabilities to support existing customer and supply chains, while allowing additional shippers to move more cargo through the Port of Charleston.
“South Carolina is home to some of the world’s largest advanced manufacturers, who rely on the Port of Charleston to keep their supply chains fluid and businesses competitive,” SC Ports President and CEO Micah Mallace said. “SC Ports cares deeply about serving our customers. This plan demonstrates our commitment to investing in timely projects to meet their needs, and it ensures capacity to meet their growth every step of the way.”
Officials said the project aligns with SC Ports’ commitment to build infrastructure that will generate revenue. That revenue will allow the port to move cargo onsite years ahead of the long-term effort to expand container capacity at North Charleston Terminal. Demolition of the site the port will use for the expansion – a former paper mill site – will begin this summer. Work to prepare the terminal for ro-ro operations will begin in 2027, and is expected to be completed in 2028.
Currently, breakbulk and ro-ro operations are handled at Columbus Street Terminal, which can move more than 250,000 vehicles annually. The expansion plan creates more capacity at Columbus Street Terminal for additional waterborne commerce, officials said.
“We are committed to growth, and we will use every acre of our real estate to welcome new cargo opportunities to Charleston,” Mallace said. “Growth at the port drives opportunity within our maritime community and creates jobs around our state.”