Mission of the SCSPA
The South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) promotes, develops and facilitates waterborne commerce to meet the current and future needs of its customers, and for the economic benefit of the citizens and businesses of South Carolina. The SCSPA fulfills this mission by delivering cost competitive facilities and services, collaborating with customers and stakeholders, and sustaining its financial self-sufficiency.

About the Port
Founded in 1942, the South Carolina State Ports Authority owns and operates public marine terminals at two port facilities: The Port of Charleston and the Port of Georgetown. These facilities are owner-operated terminals, meaning the SCSPA owns the terminals and operates them with its own staff. SPA staff works in all container cranes, run the container yard equipment, and operate gates at all terminals. The only exceptions are the licensed operators at the port, who license terminal space and operate their own yards and gates. SPA personnel do operate the dockside container cranes and the yard equipment for licensed operators.

The SCSPA is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, each appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, along with two non-voting, ex-officio members - the state Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Transportation. Despite its status as a public agency dedicated to the economic development of the State of South Carolina, the SCSPA does not receive direct appropriations from the state for capital or operations expenses. Instead, the SCSPA operates like a private business, and funds its operations and investment efforts through its own revenue stream and ability to issue bonds. Click here to view our financial statements.