South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, recently signed a feasibility study agreement, the first step toward adding additional depth to North Charleston Terminal.
Charleston Harbor successfully deepened to 52 feet in 2022 to accommodate two-way traffic and vessels sailing at any tide. The effort included the Wando and Leatherman terminals.
The proposed project would add additional depth to a stretch of the Cooper River between Leatherman and North Charleston terminals. North Charleston Terminal is currently 48 feet deep. Deepening this section of river would enable all the port’s container terminals to handle the largest ships.
“Deepening this final stretch makes our port more competitive and supports our long-term plan to modernize and enhance North Charleston Terminal,” SC Ports President and CEO Micah Mallace said. “Having the deepest harbor in the Southeast ensures expedited logistics for port customers and enhances South Carolina’s competitiveness, helping to drive cargo growth and create jobs.”
Congress authorized the feasibility study in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 and also included federal funding in the fiscal year 2026 Federal Appropriations bill. The agreement begins the Army Corps’ engineering, environmental and economic analysis of the proposed upper harbor deepening.