Advancing South Carolina's Economy with Safe & Efficient Freight Rail Solutions

Our Mission

Provide safe, efficient and cost-effective rail solutions to facilitate the movement of freight and support economic development efforts, promoting the economic viability of the state of South Carolina.

Making Safety our #1 Priority

At Palmetto Railways, safety is the foundation in everything we do. We are unwavering in our commitment to protecting the health and well-being of our employees, customers, partners, and the communities we serve. We believe that every incident is preventable. We are dedicated to maintaining a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility, from the front lines to executive leadership.

Safety is not just a policy; it is a core value and foundation of our culture. We are committed to ensuring that everyone goes home safely, every day.

Quick Facts

Class III Short Line Railroad
Enterprise Agency of the State of South Carolina
Division of South Carolina Department of Commerce

Dual rail

short line service provider with partners CSX and Norfolk Southern

The SC rail system boasts an economic output of

$56.8 Billion

across the state.

Rail handling partner for

SC Ports

Our Legacy

Early History

Palmetto Railways’ early history in Charleston, SC can be traced to the East Shore Terminal Company’s (ESTC) installation of tracks at the Charleston peninsula wharfs in 1892. This is now the Union Pier area.

After a decade of ownership by the ESTC, the company’s franchise and assets were sold to the Atlantic Coast Line and Southern Railways, predecessors to the modern Eastern Class I railroads, and renamed as the Charleston Terminal Company.

Era of Municipal Stewardship

The City established the Port Utilities Commission of Charleston (PUCC) in 1924 beginning Palmetto Railways over 100-year public ownership. The railroad portion of the PUCC is the first named predecessor railroad of Palmetto Railways and what is now its Charleston Subdivision.

After years of declining volumes and revenue, and subsequent investment, the Charleston Terminal Company’s franchise was not renewed by the Charleston City Council and ultimately the company’s track and dock assets were sold to the City of Charleston in 1921.

State Port Creation and Management

Following the ending of WWII, the State of South Carolina established the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) under which the PUCC and its dock and track assets were transferred ending municipal ownership and beginning state ownership of port and rail infrastructure.

In 1957, the SCSPA opened the North Charleston Terminal and established the Port Terminal Railroad (PTR) as a new railroad to manage those track operations for the new terminal. PTR is the named predecessor railroad for Palmetto Railways' North Charleston Subdivision.

Public Railways as its own State Entity

In 1966, the South Carolina General Assembly directed the establishment of the South Carolina Public Railways Commission (SCPRC) to take over the railroad assets of the Ports Authority. By 1973, the PUCC and PTR were transferred to this new commission.

In 1978, SCPRC’s first involvement in a large-scale state economic development project was completed with the creation of the East Cooper and Berkeley Railroad (ECBR). ECBR was developed to serve a new Amoco facility that the state had recruited to Berkeley County, SC. The ECBR is the third named predecessor railroad of Palmetto Railways that is now the Charity Church Subdivision.

Formation of the Modern South Carolina Public Railways

Under the South Carolina Restructuring Act of 1993, the South Carolina Department of Commerce was established to consolidate the state's approach on economic development. As part of the Restructuring Act of 1993, the South Carolina Public Railways Commission was abolished, and its rail assets and management were place under the newly created Department of Commerce as South Carolina PublicRailways (SCPR).

Shortly after SCPR was re-structured, the Charleston Naval Complex in North Charleston, SC was shutdown. Its rail infrastructure was transferred to SCPR and became part of the PTR as the Navy Base Terminal.

South Carolina Public Railways

As a division of the newly established SC Department of Commerce, SCPR had greater involvement in state wide economic development projects focusing on freight rail infrastructure development. Some of these projects include establishment Nucor Steel, BMW and Michelin manufacturing facilities around South Carolina.

In 2010, SCPR began planning and property acquisition for the future development of the Navy Base Intermodal Facility to be located at the former Charleston Naval Complex property.

Palmetto Railways

In 2013, SCPR rebranded to Palmetto Railways and consolidated its various short line rail facilities as subdivisions. Palmetto Railways continues its focus on supporting its existing rail operations and clients while working with the SC Department of Commerce on economic development projects.

In 2015, the state recruits Volvo Cars first North American manufacturing facility to Berkeley County, SC. As part of this recruitment, Palmetto Railways begins development of the Camp Hall rail line to support the Camp Hall Commerce Park where Volvo Cars and other customers relocated. This will establish Palmetto Railways’ 5th operating subdivision in the future, the Camp Hall subdivision.

Palmetto Railways

In 2017, through a partnership between Palmetto Railways, Colleton County and the State of South Carolina, the Hampton & Branchville Railroad (H&B) was purchased by Palmetto Railways and Colleton County in order to support future industrial development in this region of the state. The H&B had ceased operations in Hampton and Colleton Counties in 2012.The H&B line became the Palmetto Railways Salkehatchie Subdivision known today.

Palmetto Railways continues work on the NavyBase Intermodal Facility (NBIF) project including completing environmental permitting, demolition and early track construction. In 2021, the project is transferred to the South Carolina Ports Authority to complete construction and operate.

Palmetto Railways Looks Ahead

Construction will be completed and operations are planned to begin in 2026 on the Camp Hall subdivision.

Palmetto Railways continues to partner with its state and county partners on economic development projects.

Palmetto Railways works closely with the South Carolina Ports Authority on continued growth at the Navy Base Intermodal Facility and SC Ports rail served marine terminals.