SC Ports to Pause Leatherman Terminal Operations Aug. 1, Consolidate Container Work
The newest and costliest terminal will pause Aug. 1 as SC Ports cuts expenses amid a downturn that has reduced traffic and revenue.
- On Thursday, June 25, 2026, the South Carolina State Ports Authority announced plans to temporarily idle the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston starting August 1 to manage expenses amid a global shipping industry downturn.
- Port officials cited "numerous headwinds, an uncertain trade forecast and tempered volumes" for the decision, as the facility handled less than 10 percent of its capacity during the last 11 months.
- Operations will consolidate at the Wando Welch and North Charleston terminals, which SC Ports President and CEO Micah Mallace assured have sufficient capacity to support short-term growth as the Mediterranean Shipping Company relocates its primary operations.
- The pause marks another chapter in the Leatherman Terminal's history, which includes a 21-month closure during a labor dispute resolved in 2024, and affects a $690 million project that remains partially under construction.
- Analysts forecast that U.S. port container volumes will likely remain low, with the National Retail Federation projecting continued year-over-year declines through the remainder of 2026, creating a difficult environment for the newly idled facility.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Timeline: Charleston’s Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, from conception to shutdown
SC’s Leatherman Terminal shut down June 25 after 20 years in the making — and originally planned for Daniel Island. Here’s a recap of how it began and where the troubles arose for the S.C. Ports Authority’s costliest and least-used terminal.
scdailygazette.com
Index-JournalSC Ports temporarily halts Leatherman operations in face of high costs, waning demand
The Port of Charleston’s Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston will temporarily halt operations starting Aug. 1 due to lagging container trade globally and higher costs compared to the port’s other terminals. (Photo courtesy of SC State Ports Authority)NORTH CHARLESTON – The state agency that owns and operates the Port of Charleston is temporarily halting operations at its underutilized Leatherman Terminal here to save money in the face of a g…
SC Ports to 'pause' operations at Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) - The South Carolina Ports Authority addressed rumors on Thursday about operations at the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston. The Leatherman Terminal welcomed the first ship on April 9, 2021, and is located along the Cooper River, with a clear view from the Ravenel Bridge. The terminal adds 700,000 [...]
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