South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) and the USACE Charleston District signed a feasibility study agreement today, marking the first step toward investigating additional depth to North Charleston Terminal, which is currently maintained at 48 feet.
Charleston Harbor already has the deepest harbor in the Southeast at 52 feet. The successful deepening of this stretch would enable all SC Ports’ container terminals to handle the biggest ship at any tide, further enhancing port competitiveness, SC Ports said.
“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.”
Charleston Harbor was successfully deepened in 2022 to 52 feet — including up to SC Ports’ Wando and Leatherman Terminals — to accommodate two-way traffic and vessels sailing at any tide. Adding additional depth to this stretch of the Cooper River — between Leatherman and North Charleston Terminals — will complete the deepening project for the Port of Charleston, SC Ports said.
Today’s agreement starts the Army Corps’ engineering, environmental and economic analysis of the proposed upper harbor deepening.
Congress authorized the study in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, and federal funding was included in the FY26 Federal Appropriations.