| The Port of Charleston |
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The Port of Charleston provides economic viability for our community and our state and plays a crucial role in national and international trade.
In 2006, the Port of Charleston was one of the busiest container ports along the Southeast and Gulf coasts. It is recognized as one of the nation's most efficient and productive ports. The Charleston Customs district ranks as the nation's sixth largest in dollar value of international shipments, with cargo valued at more than $55 billion annually. The South Carolina Ports Authority (SPA) served 2,064 ships and barges in 2006. More than 150 nations are served directly from the SPA docks. International trade through the SPA facilities provides 281,660 jobs paying $9.4 billion in wages to South Carolinians. In all, trade pumps $23 billion into the state economy and generates $2.5 billion in state and local taxes.
Fun Facts: Everything from tennis shoes to toys moves through the Port of Charleston. The port handled 10 million tons of cargo last year, or about the same as 2.25 million school buses. Thousands of tons of oranges and grapefruit are exported to Asian markets from the Port of Charleston. Almost 16,500 tons of candy, jams and confections move through Charleston. About 19,000 tons of toys come through the port every year. More than 65,000 tons of nuts have gone through the port over just the last year. Over 23,000 tons of towels, blankets and sheets are shipped through Charleston every year.
Statistics from the South Carolina Ports Authority http://www.scspa.com/default.asp
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