- First Half FY2026 (Jul-Dec 2025): 689,350 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) at Port of Charleston—flat vs. 692,770 last year.
- National Context: U.S. ports down ~4% on average; NRF predicts <1% drop for 2025. Charleston bucks the trend amid tariffs and trade uncertainty.
- Regional Edge: Southeast ports like Charleston and Savannah benefit from population growth; Virginia down 8%.
Optimism for 2026
Port officials, including Chief Commercial Officer Byron Miller and CEO Micah Mallace, expect short-term softness but highlight late-2025 wins:
- $570M in new facilities from First Solar and Cosco, plus 2M sq ft leased industrially—adding ~25,000 containers/year.
- December described as “very productive,” signaling deferred investments resuming.
| Factor | Challenge | Silver Lining |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Policy | Tariffs, protectionism raising free trade doubts (per Hackett Associates) | Retailers push for stability to meet consumer needs |
| Seasonality | Slow Q1 typical nationwide | Growing SC economy cushions impacts |
| Projections | Muted volumes early 2026 | Stabilization hoped mid-year |
Cruise Wind-Down at Union Pier
- Ends July 4, 2026: 8 ships, 26 calls—final chapter since 2010 (Carnival exited 2024).
- Site sale to Ben Navarro’s Marti Holdings for 2027 redevelopment of 65-acre downtown spot.
Charleston’s resilience shines here, especially with your Lowcountry ties—flat volumes amid national dips is no small feat. Ports like this drive so much local jobs and growth. Curious about the Union Pier redevelopment plans or how this ties into SC’s manufacturing boom?
