South Carolina Ports has received the final federal reimbursement for the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers allocated US$21.28 million in its 2025 Work Plan, bringing the project’s total cost to US$580 million.
The harbor now sits at 52 feet, the deepest on the U.S. East Coast. This milestone allows the largest container ships in the world to call Charleston without tidal restrictions. It boosts efficiency, strengthens competitiveness, and attracts new shipping services and investment to the region.
A Decade of Advocacy
Senator Lindsey Graham has championed the project since 2011. His efforts helped secure critical federal funding throughout the process. Graham called the final reimbursement “great news for the Port of Charleston and the people of South Carolina,” noting the harbor deepening project is about “jobs today and in the future.”
Barbara Melvin, SC Ports’ president and CEO, credited state and federal collaboration. “This project was possible thanks to over a decade of teamwork and Sen. Graham’s leadership,” she said.
Engineering Feat
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversaw the work, moving more than 40 million cubic yards of material to complete the largest project in the Charleston District’s history. “This is more than an engineering milestone, it’s a strategic investment in the nation’s economic future,” said Lt. Col. Todd Mainwaring, district commander.
Looking Ahead
The harbor deepening is part of a broader strategy to expand capacity and modernize port infrastructure. SC Ports expects these investments to triple throughput, improve cargo flow, and further strengthen Charleston’s role as a key link in global supply chains.
