Fifty-eight percent of the US population is east of the Mississippi River, putting Charleston within one to two days shipping time to 29 of the 51 largest metropolitan markets in the U.S. Factoring in the continuing trend of  population migration to the Sunbelt states and the area, Charleston’s position as a distribution center location will only grow stronger in the years to come. 

SC Ports drives economic growth in South Carolina, serving as a key competitive advantage for the state. Port operations support the state’s thriving business community and spur economic development by connecting South Carolina to global markets.

• SC Ports delivers a $63.4 billion annual statewide economic impact
  
• 7.5% increase in containers handled in 2022 (2.55m TEUs)
• Port-supported jobs pay 32% higher than the state average wage
  

• 1 in 10 S.C. jobs are port related
  
• $1.5 billion in improvements completed in 2021 and big ship capability
• Phase one of the Leatherman terminal adds 700,000 TEUs of annual throughput capacity