South Carolina’s state Ports Authority (SCPA) has opened a $14m refrigerated cargo service area at Charleston Port’s Wando Welch Terminal.
Covering six acres, the facility includes a 12-lane service canopy, storage and staging areas for diesel-powered generators, container washing areas and four five-storey refrigerated container racks providing an additional 120 electrical plugs for cold-storage containers.
Charleston is a major gateway port for meat and poultry producers in the Carolinas and refrigerated cargo volume at the port has grown 86% since 2011.
Fresh and frozen meat and poultry account for around 6% of the port’s exports.
The increased demand for reefer facilities is a two-way phenomenon with there also being a growing market in the region for imported refrigerated products.
About 55% of the goods Charleston port handles are imports while 45% are exports.
