The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has disbursed the final federal reimbursement for the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project, allocating $21.28 million to the South Carolina Ports Authority (SC Ports) as part of its Fiscal Year 2025 Work Plan. The reimbursement marks the completion of the $580 million infrastructure initiative, which deepened Charleston Harbor to 52', making it the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast.
The deepening project enhances SC Ports’ ability to handle larger vessels without tidal restrictions, expanding capacity for global trade. The initiative is part of SC Ports’ long-term infrastructure strategy to bolster competitiveness and economic development throughout the Southeast.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who began advocating for the project in 2011, helped to secure federal support over the past decade. Through collaboration with the South Carolina Congressional delegation and coordination with federal agencies, Graham helped direct critical funding to the harbor deepening effort.
“This is great news for the Port of Charleston and the people of South Carolina. Success doesn’t just happen—you’ve got to roll up your sleeves and stay engaged—and that’s what we did,” said Graham. “With this announcement from the Army Corps of Engineers, we have fulfilled that promise. I am very grateful to the Trump Administration for making this happen.”
SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin credited intergovernmental coordination for bringing the project to completion. “Infrastructure projects like the Harbor Deepening Project are massive undertakings that require collaboration and teamwork with our state and federal leaders,” she said. “We were able to get this project across the finish line and get reimbursed expeditiously, thanks to Sen. Graham’s leadership and over a decade of tenacious hard work.”
Lt. Col. Todd Mainwaring, district commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District, said, “Completing the largest project in our District’s history, on time and within budget, is a testament to the strength of our partnership with the South Carolina Ports Authority, Senator Graham, and other state and federal leaders,” Mainwaring said. “Together, we moved over 40 million cubic yards of material to make Charleston Harbor the deepest on the East Coast.”
The project was funded through a partnership of state and federal resources. South Carolina initially provided significant upfront investment to keep the project on schedule, with federal reimbursement following as authorized by Congress.
Construction began in 2018, following Congressional authorization in 2015. The harbor reached its new depth of 52' by 2023. The newly disbursed federal funds conclude the financial commitments tied to the project.
Looking forward, SC Ports said it is planning additional infrastructure investments to triple port capacity and enhance cargo flow.
SC Ports operates marine terminals at the Port of Charleston and inland ports in Greer and Dillon.
