As shifting tariffs and soaring fuel prices continue to hamstring global container volumes, South Carolina Ports says it will temporarily close operations at its Leatherman Terminal starting August 1.
In a statement on June 25, SC Ports said it “plans to pause operations at Leatherman Terminal as of Aug. 1 as the industry faces numerous headwinds, an uncertain trade forecast and tempered volumes.”
According to SC Ports, the decision aligns with the port’s continued focus on cost competitiveness to ensure the business is well-positioned for growth. “We are working with our maritime partners to make this business decision to achieve long-term, sustainable growth,” SC Ports President and CEO Micah Mallace said. “We all want to retain current business and attract new business to Charleston.”
When Leatherman Terminal comes offline, the port will consolidate container operations to its Wando and North Charleston terminals, which it said offer ample port capacity to customers needing access to the Southeast market.
Global container flows have been whiplashed in recent months by swiftly changing tariff rates, violent conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, and fuel prices driven to high points by the U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran. In response to those impacts, peak shipping season has begun earlier than usual, container shipping rates have climbed higher, and the Port of Los Angeles has forecasted a 7% slowdown in container traffic for the coming year.
