Port of Charleston Container Drayage

Charleston container drayage is not a one-terminal operation. Transcend Global Logistics coordinates import and export moves involving Wando Welch, North Charleston or Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, then connects the shipment with a warehouse, rail ramp, transload facility or inland destination. The terminal and lane must be confirmed before capacity is presented.

Three container terminals, three different pickup points

Wando Welch Terminal is in Mount Pleasant, North Charleston Terminal serves the Cooper River area, and Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal is a newer container facility with its own gate and reefer operations. A request that only says “Charleston port” leaves a critical dispatch detail unresolved. The terminal shown in the current cargo record or booking determines the gate location, operating schedule and first-mile routing.

South Carolina Ports publishes current gate schedules and cargo tools. Because operating hours and holiday schedules can change, TGL coordinates against current information rather than hardcoding hours into a quote. Customers should continue checking the carrier and terminal record until the container is accepted or released.

Import planning by terminal and receiving window

For an import, send the terminal, container number and size, steamship line, availability date, last free day, customs release and carrier release. Then provide the delivery address, receiving hours, appointment number and unloading method. A container can be free of port holds but still be impractical to move if the receiver has no matching appointment.

• Wando Welch, North Charleston or Leatherman Terminal
• Container number, size, carrier, availability and last free day
• Customs and carrier release status
• Commodity, gross weight and hazmat, overweight or reefer requirements
• Receiver appointment plus live-unload, drop or transload instructions

Export planning: verify terminal receiving before pickup

For exports, provide the booking number, terminal, container size, empty pickup location, earliest receiving date, cutoff, cargo-ready time and loaded weight. The booking and terminal receiving status must support the planned return. If the shipper is not ready or the terminal is not receiving the booking, an early empty pickup can create avoidable equipment time and cost.

Leatherman, Wando and North Charleston visibility

South Carolina Ports’ GO!Port tools support cargo visibility for Charleston facilities, while its official cargo and equipment inquiry resources help users check current status. TGL coordinates using the shipment information available to the customer and carrier. Terminal data, vessel schedules, equipment acceptance and gate operations remain under the relevant port and carrier systems.

Warehouse, rail and inland connections

Charleston containers may serve nearby manufacturing and distribution facilities or continue farther inland. Depending on the lane, TGL can review terminal-to-warehouse service, rail-ramp or transload connections, and onward intermodal, warehouse, dry van or refrigerated transportation. Equipment and capacity are confirmed for the specific shipment rather than assumed.

Accessorial charges are usually date-and-process problems

Demurrage, storage, chassis use, detention, waiting time, pre-pull storage and redelivery may apply when terminal dates, driver availability and receiving appointments do not align. Share the last free day or export cutoff as soon as known. TGL cannot promise that every accessorial charge will be avoided, but complete information helps identify the pressure points before dispatch.

What to send for a Charleston drayage quote

• Exact terminal and steamship line
• Container or booking number, size/type, commodity and weight
• Import availability/last free day or export receiving window/cutoff
• Facility addresses, hours, appointments and unloading method
• Empty return, storage, transload, reefer, hazmat or onward service needs

Check current operations on the official South Carolina Ports gate-hours page and use its cargo inquiry tools. For local support, see our Charleston freight overview and Charleston intermodal and warehouse services, or compare gateways on the Ports & Locations hub.

Charleston drayage questions

Which Charleston terminal should I choose?
Select the facility in the current carrier or terminal record: Wando Welch, North Charleston or Leatherman. The terminal affects gate location, routing and scheduling.

Can TGL coordinate a warehouse or rail connection?
We can review those requests. Provide both facilities, cargo details, required dates and whether the ocean container must be returned before the onward move.

Are gate hours the same at all three terminals?
No. Current schedules can differ and may change. Check the official port information and confirm the applicable terminal before dispatch.