Media release provided by SC Ports
CHARLESTON, SC — AUG. 26, 2026 — South Carolina Ports offers improved capacity between Charleston and key markets in South America, with six weekly services to and from the region. Charleston’s recent addition to the CMA CGM AMERXL rotation gives Southeast shippers better access to major trade ports in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Chile, providing competitive transit times on the fixed-day weekly service.
The AMERXL service offers importers additional reefer access from production-rich regions for high-quality seafood, produce and flowers, while exporters gain expanded access to receiving markets for U.S. protein.
“The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council welcomes the additional export capacity out of the Port of Charleston,” said Greg Tyler, President and CEO of USAPEEC. “This service creates another gateway for U.S. food and agricultural producers to access South America, ensuring U.S. food products remain competitive in the global market.”
The enhanced capacity comes as the Southeast continues to outpace the rest of the U.S. for population and GDP growth, with South Carolina outpacing the national average.
“As the Southeast population continues to grow, enhanced cold chain access is critical for importers in the region,” SC Ports CEO Micah Mallace said. “SC Ports provides highly efficient reefer handling service, more than 2,000 reefer slots and ample cold storage facilities near the Port of Charleston.”
Exporters utilizing the AMERXL service benefit from increased access to major receiving markets for U.S. protein, with southbound transit times of 5-17 days. The Port rotation includes Port Everglades, FL, Philadelphia, PA, New York, NY, Charleston, SC, Cartagena (Colombia), Guayaquil (Ecuador), Callao (Peru), and San Antonio (Chile).
