The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Charleston District and the South Carolina Ports Authority (SC Ports) have signed a cost sharing agreement to study the economic and environmental feasibility of deepening the navigation channel along the upper Charleston Harbor. Lt. Col. Todd Mainwaring, commander of the Charleston District, and SC Ports President and CEO Michael Mallace signed the agreement at the SC Ports headquarters in Mount Pleasant, S.C., August 28.
The study and prospective deepening would build on the Charleston Harbor Post 45 Deepending Project, completed in 2022, that deepened the federal channel from 48' to 52'. That project brought a 52' channel to the port's Wando Welch Terminal on the Wando River and the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal on the Cooper River. The feasibility study will consider extending the 52' channel to the upper reach of the Cooper River near the port's North Charleston Terminal.
"Deepening this final stretch makes our port more competitive and supports our long-term plan to modernize and enhance North Charleston Terminal," 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."
The deepening study was authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 and received funding in the fiscal year 2026 Federal Appropriations bill.
"Building on the success of the Charleston Harbor Post 45 Deepening Project, the Charleston District looks forward to continuing our collaboration with the South Carolina Ports Authority and stakeholders to evaluate options for improving navigation and to strengthen the economy of South Carolina and the nation," Mainwairing said.
During the feasibility study, Corps officials will study commercial navigation patterns on that reach of the Cooper River, form traffic projections and assess the environmental impacts of an array of options.
"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," said Jacob Kyzar, project manager for the study.
