The South Carolina State Ports Authority is authorized to establish inland ports to provide services for the handling of general merchandise cargo; provided, however, that no such inland port shall be established unless it is designated as a United States Port of Entry by the United States Custom Service. The State Ports Authority shall select and describe the location of any such inland port and may erect, maintain and operate or lease any structure, building or enclosure as may be necessary for the establishment, operation and maintenance of any such port. The Authority shall make such rules and regulations and do such other things as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.