CONTAINER volume in the Port of Charleston, South Carolina, increased 12 per cent to 134,857 TEU in March year on year and 13 per cent from February, making it the strongest month since October 2008, declared the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA).

But for the fiscal year to date (July through March), TEU volume was only up two per cent, while container volume for the quarter (January through March) increased seven per cent year on year, attributed largely to a new European service from APL.

"There is no turning back on the big ship trend, and we're seeing how harbour depth and access can influence carriers' service decisions," said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the SCPA, referring to Charleston's deep shipping channels and post-45 [foot] harbour deepening currently underway.

The SCPA's non-container cargo increased 53 per cent to 111,236 tons in March year on year. BMW export vehicles and other ro-ro cargo movement had their best month since March 2008.