Port of Charleston adds direct connection to Mediterranean market

The Port of Charleston‘s new ocean carrier deployments will be increasing from 25 to 29 weekly services.

The services will continue to include prime markets such as Asia and Europe, according to an SC Ports news release. Two of the weekly services will be first-in-calls from Asia, one of which being the fastest transit from Vietnam to the South Atlantic. Three services will be first-in-call trips from Europe.

“The Port of Charleston serves as a powerful gateway for importers and exporters,” Barbara Melvin, SC Ports president and CEO, said in the release. “Our highly productive operations deliver sustained fluidity to quickly work ships. We provide reliable port service so our customers can focus on running and growing their businesses.”

In April, MSC’s EMUSA service with SC Ports will offer a direct service with Turkey and Israel, the release said. MSC’s EMUSA service will provide a direct connection to Charleston for this key easter Mediterranean market.

Three first in-calls from Europe, representing all major ocean carriers in the trade, support manufacturers’ supply chains for this key Charleston trade lane.

In February, SC Ports handed 225,532 TEUs and 123,611 pier containers, increasing about 10% since February 2024, according to the release.

“South Carolina ranks No. 5 in the nation for both population and GDP growth. This will continue to drive imports and exports to our port,” Melvin said. “The Southeast is booming, and we are ready to support this growing market with 10 million TEUs of capacity on the horizon and an expanded intermodal network.”