Completion of Charleston Harbor Deepening Project

Charleston, South Carolina, August 19, 2025

News Summary

The Charleston Harbor Deepening Project has successfully concluded, enhancing the harbor’s depth from 45 feet to 52 feet. This monumental infrastructure initiative, lasting approximately 12 years, significantly boosts the Port of Charleston’s capacity to handle larger vessels. With the recent federal reimbursement and increase in weekly shipping services, the project underlines South Carolina’s commitment to enhancing its global trade capabilities, reinforcing its position on the East Coast as a pivotal shipping hub.

Charleston, South Carolina – The South Carolina Ports Authority marked a significant milestone on August 18, 2025, with the completion of the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project. This comprehensive infrastructure initiative, which spanned roughly 12 years, concluded with a final federal reimbursement of $21.28 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District as part of its Fiscal Year 2025 Work Plan. The project, which included extensive dredging and removal of over 40 million cubic yards of material, increased the depth of the harbor from 45 feet to 52 feet.

This enhancement positions the Port of Charleston as the deepest harbor on the East Coast, allowing it to accommodate larger ships regardless of tidal conditions. Since the completion of the project in late 2022, the Port has seen a notable increase in both the size of vessels arriving and the volume of shipping. In 2025 alone, weekly shipping services at the Port of Charleston rose from 25 to 28.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham attended the celebration, underscoring his long-standing involvement with the project and its significance to South Carolina’s economy and global trade. The total cost of the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project was approximately $580 million, with funding shared between state contributions of $277 million and federal support of about $302.6 million.

As the project is hailed as the largest infrastructure development in the region’s history, second only to the Ravenel Bridge, it illustrates the commitment to enhancing South Carolina’s port capabilities. The president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority, Barbara Melvin, highlighted the improvements in productivity and reliability for cargo transport, which can now navigate the port more efficiently.

Going forward, plans are in motion for a feasibility study to explore deepening the North Charleston terminal to 52 feet, further reinforcing the port’s ability to meet global economic demands. The deepened channel enhances navigation efficiency, reducing tidal restrictions and providing greater capacity for large vessels.

Key Features of the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project

• Completion Date: August 18, 2025
• Total Project Duration: Approximately 12 years
• Final Federal Reimbursement: $21.28 million
• Total Project Cost: $580 million
• Harbor Depth Increase: From 45 feet to 52 feet
• Initial Weekly Shipping Services: 25 (2025)
• Current Weekly Shipping Services: 28 (2025)
• State Contribution: $277 million
• Federal Contribution: $302.6 million
• Cubic Yards Removed: Over 40 million

Implications for the Future

The successful completion of the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project not only fortifies the economic foundation of South Carolina but also enhances its competitive edge in the global shipping market. The Port of Charleston’s ability to handle larger vessels at full capacity aligns with increasing shipping demands and trends, ensuring it plays a pivotal role in international trade moving forward.

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Additional Resources

• South Carolina Daily Gazette
• Wikipedia: Charleston Harbor
• Count On 2 News
• Google Search: Charleston Harbor Deepening Project
• Live 5 News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Deep Water Harbor
• Dredging Today
• Google Scholar: Charleston Harbor Deepening Project
• Post and Courier
• Google News: Charleston Harbor Deepening Project

Author: STAFF HERE CHARLESTON

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