South Carolina Ports President and CEO Micah Mallace detailed his pledge for aggressive growth to a room of 1,100 port customers and stakeholders during his first State of the Port address.
Mallace thanked his predecessors and elected leaders for laying the groundwork to allow the Port to shift momentum away from long-cycle infrastructure toward strengthening its cargo base and prioritizing opportunities for immediate growth.
South Carolina’s workforce is growing four times faster than any other coastal Southeastern state, ensuring labor for new and growing businesses, and making the state ripe for new investments.
Companies invested US$8.19 billion in new and existing businesses in South Carolina during the last year. Of that, port customers invested more than US$786 million into new and expanding manufacturing facilities and distribution centers, adding 1,200 jobs and bringing new volume to the Port’s inland and ocean terminals.
Mallace said that despite a drop-off in corporate decision making this year, the South Carolina team was able to achieve strong economic development wins.
Ocean carriers also showed a vote of confidence in SC Ports’ capabilities within the Southeast market.
The Port of Charleston grew its weekly services to 29 in 2025, including first-in-calls from key markets in Asia and Europe, and expanding coverage of the rapidly growing India market to six weekly services.
SC Ports outpaces the U.S. market and other South Atlantic ports for growth in the Northeast Asia-US trade lane. Post-Covid, the Port of Charleston’s volume has increased by 9% in this trade lane, compared to a decline of 2% at other regional ports.
Mallace acknowledged that while SC Ports enjoyed significant accomplishments in 2025, there are still challenges to navigate within the industry and at home. Although inland ports had strong growth, SC Ports saw tempered container volumes and stable growth in its 2025 fiscal year.
As the US Southeast is projected to experience the largest population gains in the country by 2050, SC Ports has heavily invested in long-cycle infrastructure.
The Port of Charleston enjoys the deepest harbor on the US East Coast, has secured a path to 10 million TEUs at its marine terminals, and has invested to ensure its rail capabilities match the growth occurring in South Carolina and throughout the Southeast.
With the necessary infrastructure in place, Mallace said immediate growth is the critical path forward.
As SC Ports shifts momentum toward immediate growth and revenue generation, Mallace laid out the Port’s priorities and plans to deliver non-traditional growth initiatives.
The multi-year effort includes plans to use SC Ports’ real estate to facilitate growth projects for businesses, help to back projects with partners who generate growth, focus on revenue-generating infrastructure, and offer creative solutions and white-glove service to BCOs.
Mallace told shippers that SC Ports’ customer-centered approach extends beyond its terminals.
Mallace ended his speech by reminding the room that working together is crucial to being more competitive and growing the port, an accomplishment that benefits all and creates economic opportunities around the state.
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