Port Update
Charleston, SC
March 25, 2025
Notices
PORT LIMITS/INFORMATION
------------------------
Maximum Depths - (Fresh)
Harbor Entrance – 52’00
Main Channel – 54’00
BERTH LIMITS/INFORMATION: (CONFIRMED 03/12/25)
-------------------------
Current maximum drafts allowed at berths:
Inner anchorage - Max Draft 30’00 feet FW - Max LOA 750 FT
Buckeye ( formerly Hess ) – Charleston is 34’00” MLW currently, will decrease by .5’ every month on the 5th - - MLW Max LOA 750’ Max DWT 70,000 MT UP to 3 x 10 INCH HOSES
Delfin - Max Draft - 38'00 Max LOA 690'
ODJFELL Terminal – DEPTH ALONGSIDE – 37’00 - Max Draft – 37’00 Max LOA 700' - 1 x 8 inch HOSE 1 x 6 inch VAPOR HOSE (UPDATED 03/12/24)
Chem Marine - Max Draft - 38'00 MLW
Kinder Morgan - berth 1 – 40’00 - all vessel arrivals require tide
Kinder Morgan - berth 2 - 40'00
Kinder Morgan - berth 4 - Max depth 40'00, tide needed for anything deeper than 38'00 UP TO 2 x 8 INCH HOSES, Max DWT 74400, Max LOA 748.1, Max BM 105.6, Max BCM 371.8
new regulations – NO CARS ON DOCKS
Kinder Morgan North - Max draft 32'00"
Ineos Cooper River - max draft we are taking to Ineos now is 29’06 on a tide appointment. Depth alongside is 32'00
Wando Terminal - Max draft 45'00 MLW - tide needed for anything deeper Than 43'01" Max BM No restriction
North Charleston Terminal - Max draft 45'00 MLW - Max BM No restriction
COLUMBUS STREET TERMINAL - CST - Max draft 45'00 MLW - Max BM No restrictions
Veterans Terminal 35' MLW tidal restricted Nucor - Max draft 25'00 (movements daylight & tidal restricted), Max LOA 550', Max Beam 52'
Pier J Max Draft 38’00 FT
Airdraft under the Don Holt Bridge 155 ft per pilots
Per pilots - restrictions for Tanker movements:
Drafts of 38'00 or less may transit at anytime Drafts of 38'01 to 40'00 -window: Start in 1 Hour before low water until 2 hours before high water Drafts of 40'01 to 41'00 - window: start in 2 hours after low water until 2 hours before high water Drafts of 41'01 to 42'00 - window: start in 3 hours after low water until 3 hours before high water
The Captain of the Port is going to be releasing a statement that will require vessels to take 2 tug tethered escorts (inbound and outbound) calling on Nucor, Ineos and Nexans for ships greater than 10,000 GT and greater than 25’ draft. All ATBs which fall under these parameters will require a 1 tug escort (both inbound and outbound). Currently all arrivals are being evaluated by Sector Charleston to determine which vessels will need an escort according to the above parameters. We will share the Captain of the Port order as soon as it is released. The escort is required between the most seaward portion of Range Charlie (Buoy R “70”) and the north end of Pier X-ray. We are reacting to this news as is everyone else and recognize that this is a new procedure and will affect operations at the above terminals as well as tug availability throughout the harbor. This information will be part of a forthcoming COTP order and ultimately codified in the US Coast Pilot. We will continue to keep everyone informed as conflicts arise and make proposals as how to best serve you and our customers. Pre-planning maneuvers is obviously in everyone’s best interest so please feel free to communicate any news you may feel is important to ship traffic with our office so we can adequately respond appropriately.
========================================================================================================
TANKER VESSEL TRAFFIC: IN – PATUXENT, ATB CORPUS CHRISTI
DUE – ATTACHED AND MALBEC LEGEND, FINNANAGER, HAFNIA ACHROITE
========================================================================================================
FEDERAL, STATE & LOCAL FILING REQUIREMENTS:
96 Hours - advance notice of arrival required by USCG
48 Hours - advance receipt of crew list by Immigration for any vessel arriving from a foreign port, or arriving coast wise with detained crew.
24 Hours (minimum) - Foreign cargo must have manifest submitted to Customs & Border Patrol AMS. Bond must be filed for Foreign flag vessels or U.S. flag arriving with foreign cargo aboard. 24 Hours - advance notice to Pilots
24 Hours - advance fax of crew list and approved visitors required by Terminal.
72 Hours - post port call, the Port Authority requires bill of lading figures for all bulk cargo.
Port Security - All persons doing business within Port Authority property must have security pass from SCPA. All persons wanting unescorted access to any vessel must have a valid TWIC.
=============================================================================================================================================================================
CURRENT ARTICLES: - NONE
=============================================================================================================================================================================
CURRENT EVENTS: 03/27/25 – 0930 – CYBERSECURITY MEETING - We are planning to conduct our next Cybersecurity Subcommittee Meeting on Thursday March 27th, 2025 from 0930 to 1030 at the South Carolina Ports Authority Headquarters located at 200 Ports Authority Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. We should have an agenda out early next week but please email Mr. Lester and myself asap any items you’d like to have added for discussion.
IMPORTANT: Please RSVP to this email if you plan to attend the meeting and/or be a member of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee. That way I can add you to the roster and it will make sign-in easier. Per U.S. Coast Guard requirements for Subcommittees operating under the AMSC, members of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee as well as any attendees at the meetings must have a signed Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) on file with the Coast Guard. If you did not complete the DHS NDA form and send it or hand it to me you will need to complete this form: DHS- 11000- 14. Where it says Authorized Entity on Line 2, that is your organization. If you don’t have a witness you can leave blank and I will sign it. You can email the forms to me or deliver them in person at the meeting. The reason for this requirement is that we may be discussing and viewing sensitive security information at these meetings. NDA’s may not be required for federal employees and other agencies that may already be operating under other existing policies, but please check with me to make sure.
=============================================================================================================================================================================
FUTURE EVENTS: 04/15/25 – 1130 – SCPA MONTHLY MEETING
04/16/25 – 1700 – PROPELLER CLUB - Propeller Club | Annual Meeting + Corn Hole Tournament – When Apr 16, 2025 (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM) (EDT) Where - Cooper River Room. Harry M. Hallman Junior Boulevard 99
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
=====================================================================================================================
SECURITY LEVEL: MARSEC 1
=====================================================================================================================
HURRICANE ALERT: 5/OUT OF SEASON
=====================================================================================================================
Tides / Currents
CHARLESTON TIDES:
Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
/Low Time Feet Sunset Visible
MARCH 2025
Tu 25 High 5:11 AM 5.3 7:16 AM Rise 5:00 AM 27
25 Low 11:31 AM 0.4 7:35 PM Set 3:30 PM
25 High 5:23 PM 4.8
25 Low 11:41 PM 0.1
W 26 High 6:07 AM 5.6 7:15 AM Rise 5:37 AM 18
26 Low 12:23 PM 0.0 7:36 PM Set 4:40 PM
26 High 6:20 PM 5.3
Th 27 Low 12:40 AM -0.2 7:14 AM Rise 6:10 AM 10
27 High 6:59 AM 5.8 7:36 PM Set 5:50 PM
27 Low 1:12 PM -0.4
27 High 7:14 PM 5.8
F 28 Low 1:35 AM -0.6 7:12 AM Rise 6:41 AM 4
28 High 7:49 AM 6.0 7:37 PM Set 7:01 PM
28 Low 1:59 PM -0.7
28 High 8:05 PM 6.3
Sa 29 Low 2:28 AM -0.8 7:11 AM Rise 7:12 AM 0
29 High 8:37 AM 6.0 7:38 PM Set 8:12 PM
29 Low 2:45 PM -0.9
29 High 8:54 PM 6.6
Su 30 Low 3:20 AM -0.9 7:10 AM Rise 7:45 AM 0
30 High 9:25 AM 5.9 7:38 PM Set 9:26 PM
30 Low 3:31 PM -1.0
30 High 9:44 PM 6.7
M 31 Low 4:12 AM -0.8 7:08 AM Rise 8:21 AM 2
31 High 10:14 AM 5.6 7:39 PM Set 10:41 PM
31 Low 4:19 PM -0.9
31 High 10:35 PM 6.7
APRIL 2025
Tu 1 Low 5:04 AM -0.5 7:07 AM Rise 9:03 AM 7
1 High 11:04 AM 5.4 7:40 PM Set 11:55 PM
1 Low 5:08 PM -0.7
1 High 11:28 PM 6.5
W 2 Low 5:59 AM -0.2 7:06 AM Rise 9:52 AM 15
2 High 11:59 AM 5.1 7:41 PM
2 Low 6:01 PM -0.3
Th 3 High 12:25 AM 6.1 7:04 AM Set 1:06 AM 24
3 Low 6:57 AM 0.2 7:41 PM Rise 10:48 AM
3 High 12:58 PM 4.8
3 Low 6:59 PM 0.0
F 4 High 1:27 AM 5.8 7:03 AM Set 2:09 AM 35
4 Low 7:59 AM 0.5 7:42 PM Rise 11:50 AM
4 High 2:02 PM 4.6
4 Low 8:02 PM 0.3
Sa 5 High 2:33 AM 5.5 7:02 AM Set 3:02 AM 46
5 Low 9:03 AM 0.7 7:43 PM Rise 12:55 PM
5 High 3:09 PM 4.6
5 Low 9:09 PM 0.5
Su 6 High 3:39 AM 5.3 7:01 AM Set 3:46 AM 56
6 Low 10:06 AM 0.7 7:43 PM Rise 2:00 PM
6 High 4:14 PM 4.6
6 Low 10:16 PM 0.5
M 7 High 4:41 AM 5.2 6:59 AM Set 4:23 AM 66
7 Low 11:04 AM 0.6 7:44 PM Rise 3:03 PM
7 High 5:14 PM 4.8
7 Low 11:17 PM 0.5
Tu 8 High 5:36 AM 5.2 6:58 AM Set 4:53 AM 76
8 Low 11:55 AM 0.5 7:45 PM Rise 4:03 PM
8 High 6:07 PM 5.1
W 9 Low 12:11 AM 0.4 6:57 AM Set 5:20 AM 83
9 High 6:23 AM 5.2 7:46 PM Rise 5:00 PM
9 Low 12:39 PM 0.3
9 High 6:53 PM 5.4
Th 10 Low 1:00 AM 0.2 6:56 AM Set 5:45 AM 90
10 High 7:06 AM 5.2 7:46 PM Rise 5:55 PM
10 Low 1:19 PM 0.2
10 High 7:35 PM 5.6
F 11 Low 1:44 AM 0.2 6:54 AM Set 6:09 AM 95
11 High 7:45 AM 5.2 7:47 PM Rise 6:50 PM
11 Low 1:56 PM 0.1
11 High 8:14 PM 5.7
Sa 12 Low 2:26 AM 0.1 6:53 AM Set 6:33 AM 98
12 High 8:22 AM 5.1 7:48 PM Rise 7:45 PM
12 Low 2:29 PM 0.1
12 High 8:51 PM 5.8
Su 13 Low 3:05 AM 0.1 6:52 AM Set 6:58 AM 99
13 High 8:58 AM 5.0 7:48 PM Rise 8:41 PM
13 Low 3:02 PM 0.2
13 High 9:25 PM 5.8
M 14 Low 3:43 AM 0.2 6:51 AM Set 7:26 AM 99
14 High 9:32 AM 4.9 7:49 PM Rise 9:39 PM
14 Low 3:33 PM 0.3
14 High 9:58 PM 5.7
Tu 15 Low 4:19 AM 0.3 6:50 AM Set 7:57 AM 97
15 High 10:06 AM 4.7 7:50 PM Rise 10:38 PM
15 Low 4:04 PM 0.4
15 High 10:30 PM 5.6
W 16 Low 4:56 AM 0.5 6:48 AM Set 8:34 AM 93
16 High 10:40 AM 4.6 7:51 PM Rise 11:37 PM
16 Low 4:38 PM 0.6
16 High 11:04 PM 5.5
Th 17 Low 5:35 AM 0.7 6:47 AM Set 9:18 AM 88
17 High 11:16 AM 4.4 7:51 PM
17 Low 5:15 PM 0.7
17 High 11:41 PM 5.4
F 18 Low 6:17 AM 0.8 6:46 AM Rise 12:34 AM 81
18 High 11:56 AM 4.3 7:52 PM Set 10:08 AM
18 Low 5:58 PM 0.8
Sa 19 High 12:25 AM 5.3 6:45 AM Rise 1:27 AM 73
19 Low 7:05 AM 0.9 7:53 PM Set 11:05 AM
19 High 12:44 PM 4.3
19 Low 6:49 PM 0.8
Su 20 High 1:20 AM 5.2 6:44 AM Rise 2:14 AM 63
20 Low 7:59 AM 0.9 7:54 PM Set 12:07 PM
20 High 1:41 PM 4.3
20 Low 7:50 PM 0.8
M 21 High 2:22 AM 5.2 6:43 AM Rise 2:56 AM 53
21 Low 8:58 AM 0.8 7:54 PM Set 1:12 PM
21 High 2:45 PM 4.5
21 Low 8:59 PM 0.8
Tu 22 High 3:27 AM 5.3 6:41 AM Rise 3:32 AM 43
22 Low 9:57 AM 0.6 7:55 PM Set 2:19 PM
22 High 3:51 PM 4.8
22 Low 10:09 PM 0.6
W 23 High 4:30 AM 5.4 6:40 AM Rise 4:05 AM 32
23 Low 10:53 AM 0.2 7:56 PM Set 3:27 PM
23 High 4:54 PM 5.3
23 Low 11:16 PM 0.3
Th 24 High 5:29 AM 5.5 6:39 AM Rise 4:36 AM 22
24 Low 11:47 AM -0.2 7:56 PM Set 4:35 PM
24 High 5:52 PM 5.8
F 25 Low 12:18 AM -0.1 6:38 AM Rise 5:06 AM 13
25 High 6:24 AM 5.6 7:57 PM Set 5:45 PM
25 Low 12:38 PM -0.5
25 High 6:48 PM 6.3
Sa 26 Low 1:16 AM -0.4 6:37 AM Rise 5:38 AM 6
26 High 7:18 AM 5.7 7:58 PM Set 6:57 PM
26 Low 1:28 PM -0.8
26 High 7:41 PM 6.7
Su 27 Low 2:11 AM -0.6 6:36 AM Rise 6:13 AM 1
27 High 8:10 AM 5.7 7:59 PM Set 8:13 PM
27 Low 2:17 PM -0.9
27 High 8:34 PM 6.9
M 28 Low 3:05 AM -0.7 6:35 AM Rise 6:53 AM 0
28 High 9:02 AM 5.6 7:59 PM Set 9:29 PM
28 Low 3:06 PM -0.9
28 High 9:26 PM 7.0
Tu 29 Low 3:57 AM -0.6 6:34 AM Rise 7:39 AM 1
29 High 9:55 AM 5.4 8:00 PM Set 10:45 PM
29 Low 3:57 PM -0.8
29 High 10:19 PM 6.8
W 30 Low 4:51 AM -0.4 6:33 AM Rise 8:34 AM 5
30 High 10:49 AM 5.2 8:01 PM Set 11:54 PM
30 Low 4:49 PM -0.5
30 High 11:14 PM 6.5
Weather / Marine Zone Forecast
MARINE WEATHER: 6NM SE Capers Reef MR
Marine Zone Forecast
TodayN winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming NE late this morning, then becoming E early this afternoon, becoming S late. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: W 2 ft at 5 seconds and E 1 foot at 8 seconds.
TonightSW winds 10 to 15 kt, becoming W with gusts to 20 kt after midnight. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: S 2 ft at 5 seconds.
WedN winds 10 to 15 kt, becoming E in the afternoon. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: NW 2 ft at 4 seconds and SE 2 ft at 6 seconds.
Wed NightSW winds 10 kt, becoming N with gusts to 20 kt after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: SE 2 ft at 7 seconds and SW 1 foot at 4 seconds.
ThuNE winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: NE 3 ft at 5 seconds and SW 1 foot at 3 seconds.
Thu NightSE winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: NE 3 ft at 6 seconds.
FriSE winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
Fri NightS winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft.
SatS winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 ft.
Sat NightS winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft.
