Study to Assess Deepening of South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor

The US Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District and the South Carolina Ports Authority have initiated a feasibility study to assess navigation improvements along the upper Charleston harbor.

The investigation focuses on potential enhancements to the Cooper River navigation channel serving the North Charleston Terminal, where the upper channel is currently maintained at a depth of 48 feet (14.6 metres).

Deepening the channel would establish a uniform depth across the port system, permitting modern container vessels to transit without tidal restrictions.

This initiative builds upon the Post 45 deepening project completed in 2022, which deepened the harbor to 52 feet (15.8 metres) to provide unrestricted access to the Wando Welch and Hugh K. Leatherman terminals.

Authorised under the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 with appropriated federal funding, the new evaluation will see SC Ports share expenses as the non-federal sponsor.

During the study phase, planners and engineers will examine navigational channel efficiency, vessel traffic projections, and environmental impacts to formulate development solutions.

Emphasising the regional assessment, Charleston District Project Manager Jacob Kyzar remarked, “We are working together to better understand the needs of the region and will make an assessment of the best path forward once the study is complete.”