South Carolina Ports and Norfolk Southern have launched day by day direct intermodal rail service between the Port of Charleston and Huntsville, Ala., increasing the port’s attain into north Alabama and Center Tennessee.
The service took impact Sept. 11 and is meant to present importers and exporters one other rail choice for shifting containerized cargo between Charleston and inland southeast markets, based on SC Ports. The port mentioned the lane will supply shippers larger flexibility, velocity to market and cost-effective connectivity.
“The intermodal service between Charleston and Huntsville is a significant addition for our prospects, as we work with our companions at Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) to present shippers larger flexibility and velocity to market on the proper price,” SC Ports President and Chief Government Micah Mallace mentioned in an announcement. “Robust intermodal connectivity and dependable port service are key to delivering the effectivity and consistency our prospects want.”
The Huntsville service provides to Charleston’s current rail community, which strikes about 25% of SC Ports’ container quantity by rail. The port already supplies day by day categorical intermodal providers and connections to its Inland Ports Greer and Dillon, in addition to intermodal hubs in Memphis, Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, Charlotte and Louisville.
Norfolk Southern mentioned the brand new lane strengthens its place in a fast-growing Southeastern freight market and offers cargo house owners an extra various to truck transportation for port-related strikes.
“The Port of Charleston is a essential gateway to one of many fastest-growing areas within the nation,” mentioned Shawn Tureman, Norfolk Southern’s vice chairman of intermodal automotive. “This service between Charleston and Huntsville offers shippers one other dependable, cost-effective choice for shifting cargo all through the Southeast.”
South Carolina exported $38 billion in items in 2024, of which $37.2 billion was manufactured merchandise. Transportation gear, together with autos and tires, accounted for $19.2 billion, whereas imported auto elements, engines and transmissions exceeded $3.5 billion. The Port of Charleston is very uncovered to two-way flows from China and Germany, the biggest origins for imports coming into via the port, based on the Richmond Federal Reserve. That issues for Huntsville-area factories that supply elements globally.
Huntsville and the broader Tennessee Valley are a high-value freight market formed by aerospace and protection, automotive manufacturing, electronics, expertise, prescribed drugs, distribution and superior manufacturing. The Port of Huntsville combines Huntsville Worldwide Airport, the Worldwide Intermodal Heart, International Commerce Zone No. 83 and the Jetplex Industrial Park, giving shippers a rail-air-truck logistics platform.
The launch builds on SC Ports’ broader effort to enhance inland rail connectivity. In 2025, the port accomplished a $55 million enlargement of Inland Port Greer that elevated its cargo-handling capability by 50% and added 9,000 ft of observe to accommodate longer trains. Norfolk Southern supplies day by day and in a single day service to Greer, which is positioned alongside the Interstate 85 hall between Atlanta and Charlotte.
For Charleston, the brand new Huntsville connection might assist draw discretionary cargo from North Alabama and Center Tennessee by giving shippers a direct rail path to the port’s container terminals and ocean-carrier community. The service additionally expands Norfolk Southern’s intermodal choices tied to Charleston at a time when ports and railroads are emphasizing quicker, extra dependable inland distribution choices throughout the Southeast.
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