Port Update
Charleston, SC
April 14, 2025
Notices
PORT LIMITS/INFORMATION
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Maximum Depths - (Fresh)
Harbor Entrance – 52’00
Main Channel – 54’00
BERTH LIMITS/INFORMATION: (CONFIRMED 03/12/25)
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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.
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TANKER VESSEL TRAFFIC: IN – NONE
DUE – ATTACHED AND ATB CORPUS CHRISTI
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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.
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CURRENT ARTICLES: - NONE
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CURRENT EVENTS: IN PROGRESS THROUGH 04/18 – US NAVAL EXERCISE - NAVAL EXERCISE - Atlantic Ocean, North of Charleston Harbor Entrance, SC - From April 14th through April 18th, the U.S. Navy will be conducting an exercise southeast of Sullivan's Island from areas near shore to approximately 25 miles off the coast. The tests will involve 12'-16' unmanned surface vessels escorted by safety boats. Safety boats can be contacted via VHF Channel 65. Mariners should use caution and maintain safe speeds while transiting the area.
04/15/25 – 1130 – SCPA MONTHLY MEETING - The Board of Directors meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. at SC Ports Headquarters at 200 Ports Authority Drive in Mount Pleasant, unless otherwise noted on the meeting agenda. In addition to posting meeting notices, SC Ports announces all public meetings and provides an agenda to any interested person, organization or journalist by email. To receive email notifications, or if you would like to attend a meeting, please contact Liz Crumley at lcrumley@scspa.com.
04/16/25 – 1700 – PROPELLER CLUB - Cooper River Room - Harry M. Hallman Junior Boulevard 99, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina - Organizer: The Propeller Club of Charleston, Maritime Association of South CarolinaPhone: +1 8649924338Contact Person: Taylor JacksonEmail: tjackson@maritimesc.org Event Details - Join us for the Propeller Club Annual Meeting & Corn Hole Tournament! Enjoy delicious BBQ, refreshing drinks, and friendly competition in our corn hole tournament. We'll also be honoring our Propeller Club of Charleston Member of the Year and Maritime Person of the Year. Propeller Club of Charleston Member of the Year: Brian McCall, Palmetto Railways - Propeller Club of Charleston Maritime Person of the Year: Joel Britt, SC Ports - ATTACHED
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FUTURE EVENTS: 04/24/25 - CMCA | Billy Hollifield 2025 Spring Golf Tournament - Save the date - April 24, 2025, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (EDT) - Venue Location-Stono Ferry Links Course, 4812 Stono Links Drive, Hollywood, South Carolina
Organizer: Charleston Motor Carriers Association, Maritime Association of South Carolina Phone: +1 8649924338Contact Person: Taylor Jackson Email: tjackson@maritimesc.org
04/29/25 – 1730 – NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION MEETING - save the date - 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM (EDT) - Venue Location - Omar Shrines, Charleston, South Carolina
05/15/25 – CWIT - Charleston Women in International Trade (CWIT) would like to invite your company to raise its profile by investing in our organization - one of South Carolina's most respected international trade groups - by sponsoring The Charleston Soirée, CWIT's annual meeting and banquet. Through your sponsorship, CWIT is able to meet its goals to educate, train, mentor and network our workforce. CWIT will award scholarships to students pursuing degrees related to international trade - helping South Carolina's industry secure the best and brightest young talent. Investing in CWIT ensures publicity to the business community, provides direct exposure to more than 750 international trade professionals, over 100 CWIT members, and a presence on CWIT's website, LinkedIn and Facebook fan page. The Charleston Soirée will be held on Thursday May 15 at Founder's Hall, Charlestowne Landing. Please keep in mind that your commitment will allow us to succeed at enhancing the status and interests of professionals in the field of international trade through a vast network of professional contacts, educational programs, mentorships, & scholarship opportunities. Your sponsorship for our annual Soirée is simply a click away. Charles Towne Landing, Old Towne Road 1500, Charleston, South Carolina
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SECURITY LEVEL: MARSEC 1
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HURRICANE ALERT: 5/OUT OF SEASON
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Tides / Currents
CHARLESTON TIDES:
Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
/Low Time Feet Sunset Visible
APRIL 2025
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
MAY 2025
Th 1 Low 5:45 AM -0.1 6:32 AM Rise 9:36 AM 12
1 High 11:46 AM 5.0 8:02 PM
1 Low 5:44 PM -0.2
F 2 High 12:11 AM 6.2 6:31 AM Set 12:54 AM 20
2 Low 6:41 AM 0.2 8:02 PM Rise 10:43 AM
2 High 12:45 PM 4.8
2 Low 6:42 PM 0.2
Sa 3 High 1:10 AM 5.8 6:30 AM Set 1:43 AM 30
3 Low 7:39 AM 0.4 8:03 PM Rise 11:50 AM
3 High 1:47 PM 4.7
3 Low 7:43 PM 0.5
Su 4 High 2:10 AM 5.5 6:29 AM Set 2:23 AM 41
4 Low 8:38 AM 0.6 8:04 PM Rise 12:55 PM
4 High 2:50 PM 4.7
4 Low 8:47 PM 0.7
M 5 High 3:08 AM 5.2 6:28 AM Set 2:56 AM 51
5 Low 9:35 AM 0.6 8:05 PM Rise 1:56 PM
5 High 3:50 PM 4.8
5 Low 9:50 PM 0.8
Tu 6 High 4:03 AM 5.1 6:27 AM Set 3:24 AM 61
6 Low 10:27 AM 0.6 8:05 PM Rise 2:55 PM
6 High 4:45 PM 5.0
6 Low 10:50 PM 0.8
W 7 High 4:54 AM 5.0 6:27 AM Set 3:50 AM 70
7 Low 11:15 AM 0.5 8:06 PM Rise 3:50 PM
7 High 5:35 PM 5.3
7 Low 11:44 PM 0.7
Th 8 High 5:41 AM 4.9 6:26 AM Set 4:13 AM 79
8 Low 11:58 AM 0.4 8:07 PM Rise 4:45 PM
8 High 6:21 PM 5.5
F 9 Low 12:33 AM 0.6 6:25 AM Set 4:37 AM 86
9 High 6:25 AM 4.9 8:07 PM Rise 5:40 PM
9 Low 12:38 PM 0.3
9 High 7:03 PM 5.7
Sa 10 Low 1:18 AM 0.4 6:24 AM Set 5:02 AM 92
10 High 7:07 AM 4.8 8:08 PM Rise 6:35 PM
10 Low 1:15 PM 0.3
10 High 7:43 PM 5.9
Su 11 Low 2:00 AM 0.4 6:23 AM Set 5:29 AM 96
11 High 7:47 AM 4.8 8:09 PM Rise 7:32 PM
11 Low 1:51 PM 0.3
11 High 8:21 PM 5.9
M 12 Low 2:40 AM 0.3 6:23 AM Set 5:59 AM 99
12 High 8:26 AM 4.7 8:10 PM Rise 8:31 PM
12 Low 2:26 PM 0.3
12 High 8:57 PM 5.9
Tu 13 Low 3:19 AM 0.3 6:22 AM Set 6:35 AM 99
13 High 9:04 AM 4.6 8:10 PM Rise 9:30 PM
13 Low 3:01 PM 0.4
13 High 9:33 PM 5.8
W 14 Low 3:57 AM 0.4 6:21 AM Set 7:16 AM 99
14 High 9:41 AM 4.5 8:11 PM Rise 10:28 PM
14 Low 3:37 PM 0.4
14 High 10:08 PM 5.7
Th 15 Low 4:35 AM 0.5 6:20 AM Set 8:05 AM 96
15 High 10:17 AM 4.4 8:12 PM Rise 11:23 PM
15 Low 4:14 PM 0.5
15 High 10:43 PM 5.6
F 16 Low 5:15 AM 0.6 6:20 AM Set 9:00 AM 91
16 High 10:55 AM 4.4 8:12 PM
16 Low 4:54 PM 0.6
16 High 11:22 PM 5.5
Sa 17 Low 5:57 AM 0.6 6:19 AM Rise 12:12 AM 85
17 High 11:37 AM 4.4 8:13 PM Set 10:00 AM
17 Low 5:39 PM 0.6
Su 18 High 12:06 AM 5.5 6:18 AM Rise 12:54 AM 77
18 Low 6:43 AM 0.6 8:14 PM Set 11:03 AM
18 High 12:25 PM 4.4
18 Low 6:31 PM 0.7
M 19 High 12:56 AM 5.4 6:18 AM Rise 1:32 AM 68
19 Low 7:33 AM 0.5 8:15 PM Set 12:08 PM
19 High 1:22 PM 4.6
19 Low 7:31 PM 0.7
Tu 20 High 1:53 AM 5.4 6:17 AM Rise 2:05 AM 58
20 Low 8:27 AM 0.4 8:15 PM Set 1:13 PM
20 High 2:23 PM 4.8
20 Low 8:37 PM 0.7
W 21 High 2:52 AM 5.3 6:17 AM Rise 2:35 AM 47
21 Low 9:22 AM 0.2 8:16 PM Set 2:18 PM
21 High 3:26 PM 5.2
21 Low 9:47 PM 0.6
Th 22 High 3:53 AM 5.3 6:16 AM Rise 3:04 AM 36
22 Low 10:18 AM -0.1 8:17 PM Set 3:25 PM
22 High 4:27 PM 5.7
22 Low 10:54 PM 0.3
F 23 High 4:53 AM 5.3 6:16 AM Rise 3:34 AM 26
23 Low 11:12 AM -0.4 8:17 PM Set 4:33 PM
23 High 5:27 PM 6.1
23 Low 11:58 PM 0.1
Sa 24 High 5:52 AM 5.3 6:15 AM Rise 4:06 AM 16
24 Low 12:06 PM -0.6 8:18 PM Set 5:45 PM
24 High 6:25 PM 6.5
Su 25 Low 12:58 AM -0.2 6:15 AM Rise 4:43 AM 8
25 High 6:50 AM 5.3 8:19 PM Set 7:01 PM
25 Low 1:00 PM -0.8
25 High 7:21 PM 6.8
M 26 Low 1:55 AM -0.4 6:14 AM Rise 5:26 AM 2
26 High 7:46 AM 5.3 8:19 PM Set 8:17 PM
26 Low 1:53 PM -0.9
26 High 8:16 PM 6.9
Tu 27 Low 2:49 AM -0.4 6:14 AM Rise 6:17 AM 0
27 High 8:42 AM 5.2 8:20 PM Set 9:31 PM
27 Low 2:45 PM -0.8
27 High 9:10 PM 6.9
W 28 Low 3:42 AM -0.4 6:14 AM Rise 7:17 AM 0
28 High 9:38 AM 5.1 8:21 PM Set 10:37 PM
28 Low 3:38 PM -0.7
28 High 10:05 PM 6.7
Th 29 Low 4:35 AM -0.3 6:13 AM Rise 8:24 AM 3
29 High 10:34 AM 5.0 8:21 PM Set 11:33 PM
29 Low 4:32 PM -0.4
29 High 10:59 PM 6.4
F 30 Low 5:28 AM -0.1 6:13 AM Rise 9:33 AM 9
30 High 11:31 AM 4.9 8:22 PM
30 Low 5:26 PM -0.1
30 High 11:53 PM 6.1
Sa 31 Low 6:20 AM 0.1 6:13 AM Set 12:18 AM 17
31 High 12:28 PM 4.8 8:22 PM Rise 10:42 AM
31 Low 6:22 PM 0.2
Weather / Marine Zone Forecast
MARINE WEATHER: Hazardous Weather Conditions
Small Craft Advisory in effect from April 14, 01:00 PM EDT until April 15, 08:00 PM EDT
Last Update: 1145 AM EDT Mon Apr 14 2025
View Nearby Observations
5NM ENE Capers Reef MR
Marine Zone Forecast
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING...
This AfternoonSW winds 10 to 15 kt, increasing to 15 to 20 kt with gusts to 25 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft, building to 3 to 4 ft. Wave detail: SW 2 ft at 3 seconds and E 2 ft at 8 seconds, becoming SW 3 ft at 4 seconds and E 2 ft at 8 seconds.
TonightSW winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft, building to 4 to 5 ft after midnight. Wave detail: SW 4 ft at 5 seconds and E 2 ft at 8 seconds, becoming SW 5 ft at 6 seconds and E 1 foot at 8 seconds.
TueSW winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft. Wave detail: SW 5 ft at 6 seconds and E 1 foot at 8 seconds.
Tue NightNW winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft, subsiding to 2 to 3 ft after midnight. Wave detail: SW 4 ft at 6 seconds and SE 1 foot at 8 seconds, becoming NW 3 ft at 5 seconds and SE 1 foot at 8 seconds.
WedN winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts to 20 kt, becoming W 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: NW 3 ft at 4 seconds and E 1 foot at 8 seconds.
Wed NightW winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming NW after midnight. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: SW 1 foot at 4 seconds and SE 1 foot at 7 seconds.
ThuNE winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
Thu NightSE winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
FriS winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft.
Fri NightS winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft.
