Posted on August 28, 2026
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, will soon begin maintenance dredging in the lower Charleston Harbor to ensure the federal navigation channel remains safe, reliable, and fully operational for commercial and military vessels. Dredging operations are scheduled to commence this month, with estimated completion by next fall.
The Charleston District recently awarded a $28,175,500 contract to The Dutra Group, based in San Rafael, Calif., to complete the project. The work focuses on maintaining two turning basins and approximately 19 miles of channel within the harbor. “Regular maintenance dredging is essential to the continued operability of Charleston Harbor’s vital navigation infrastructure,” said Jacob Kyzar, USACE project manager. “This work ensures the harbor remains a reliable, deep-water ocean port capable of supporting its vital defense mission and its role as the fourth-busiest container port on the East Coast.”
To maximize production, the contractor plans to utilize two mechanical dredges operating concurrently. The dredged material will be loaded into scows and transported to the Charleston Ocean Dredged Material Placement Site. Charleston Harbor is a critical deep-water ocean port adjacent to the Charleston peninsula and the city of Charleston. As one of the nation’s 17 strategic ports, it plays an indispensable role in national defense while serving as a major economic engine on the Eastern Seaboard.
The broader Charleston Harbor federal navigation project comprises the operation and maintenance of over 38 miles of channel, three turning basins, one anchorage basin, and four dredged material placement areas. While the lower harbor requires maintenance dredging annually, the entrance channel is typically dredged every other year and the upper harbor is serviced every 15 to 18 months. During construction, active dredging vessels will be navigating the harbor. Mariners are urged to use extreme caution and monitor official radio channels for the latest local navigation updates. All project vessels and equipment are required to maintain active Automatic Identification System transponders, monitor VHF communications, display required navigation lighting, and adhere to all applicable maritime safety measures while operating in Charleston Harbor.
