Rail

SC Ports, Norfolk Southern Launch Daily Rail Service to Huntsville

South Carolina Ports and Norfolk Southern established daily direct intermodal rail service connecting Charleston to Huntsville, Alabama. The service extends the port's inland reach into northern Alabama and Middle Tennessee. The new lane provides shippers enhanced flexibility, faster market access, and cost-competitive rail options for containerized cargo. Rail currently handles approximately 25% of Charleston's container volume. The Huntsville service complements existing intermodal connections to Inland Ports Greer and Dillon, as well as regional distribution hubs in Memphis, Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, Charlotte and Louisville. Norfolk Southern views the expansion as strategic positioning in the region's rapidly growing freight sector. The service offers shippers reliable alternatives to truck transportation. South Carolina exported $38 billion in goods during 2024. Transportation equipment accounted for $19.2 billion of those exports. Huntsville-area manufacturers that source components globally benefit particularly from this corridor.