Posted on August 20, 2025
CHARLESTON, S.C. — South Carolina Ports Authority celebrated Monday the final step in the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project, a roughly 12-year-long plan.
While construction for the project wrapped up in late 2022, the final federal reimbursement has now been disbursed to the ports.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham was there to help deliver the $21.28 million, which was allocated by Congress in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Work Plan.
SEN. GRAHAM’S SUPPORT
Graham has been involved in the project since its early conception.
“Of all the things that I’ve been involved with, this is, I think, the most important,” the senior senator said. “I made a promise to you, and I kept it.”
The project brought the harbor from 45 feet deep to 52 feet, making it the deepest harbor along the East Coast. The added depth allows ships of all sizes to come through at any tide and during all hours of the day.
Since physical work concluded nearly three years ago, Barbara Melvin, president and chief executive officer of the S.C. ports, says she’s seen a large increase in ship size. The increase in volume affects both imports and exports.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks outside of South Carolina Port Authority. Aug. 18, 2025.
“Our exports out of the United States are heavier than most import boxes and exports are just as much of a reflection of our success as a country, if not more than what we import and consume,” Melvin said Monday.
Most recently, the Port of Charleston’s coverage jumped from 25 weekly services to 28 this year, Melvin added.
WHAT DID THE PROJECT TAKE?
Vessels at Wando Welch Terminal 1
“It’s the largest project in our district’s history and one of the largest infrastructure projects in South Carolina’s history. Second only to the Ravenel Bridge,” said Lt. Col. Todd Mainwaring, the Charleston district commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Melvin congratulated and thanked Graham for being instrumental in completing the work.
He helped secure initial funding in 2011 and is now seeing the project through in its very last step.
“Charleston can accommodate the biggest ships on the seas, which makes Charleston a crown jewel of the shipping economy in the United States,” Graham told reporters Monday.
He stressed the importance of the Port of Charleston remaining competitive globally, which he said will benefit the entire Palmetto State.
“I can promise you, no matter where you live in South Carolina, going to 52 feet in Charleston for the port is a big deal to you and your family,” Graham said.
S.C. ports are now looking to also make a 52-foot-deep channel to the North Charleston terminal. Melvin said officials have requested a feasibility study completed by the Army Corps of Engineers as the first step.
