Port Update
Charleston, SC
August 12, 2025
Notices
PORT LIMITS/INFORMATION
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Maximum Depths - (Fresh)
Harbor Entrance – 52’00
Main Channel – 54’00
BERTH LIMITS/INFORMATION: (CONFIRMED 07/24/25)
-------------------------
Current maximum drafts allowed at berths:
Inner anchorage - Max Draft 30’00 feet FW - Max LOA 750 FT
Amalie Oil – Depth alongside 28.3’ MLW, MAX DRAFT TBC (05/14/25)
Buckeye ( formerly Hess ) – Charleston is 40’00 Depth 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 (07/11/25)
Delfin - Max Draft - 38'00 Max LOA 690'
ODJFELL Terminal – DEPTH ALONGSIDE – 37’00 - Max Draft – Terminal does not advise any Maximum draft restriction, we will advise 36’06 as USCG requires 6” UKC alongside berths - Max LOA 700' - 1 x 8 inch HOSE 1 x 6 inch VAPOR HOSE (UPDATED 04/29/24)
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 DRAFT 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
Air draft 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 – ARDMORE GIBRALTAR
DUE – ATTACHED AND ATB GALVESTON, MARIE C
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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: NONE
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FUTURE EVENTS: 08/28/25 – 0800 - MASC Nav/Ops Meeting - Thursday, August 28·8:00 – 9:00am
08/28/25 – 0930 - Harbor Safety Meeting - Thursday, August 28·9:30 – 10:30am 200 Ports Authority Drive
09/17/25 – MASC - MASC | Low Country Maritime Mixer - September 17, 2025 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM (EDT) Over The Horizon Brewing Heriot Street 2200 Charleston
09/25/25 - 0800 - MASC Nav/Ops Meeting
10/28/25 – 1100 - SCSPA - STATE OF THE PORT ADDRESS - Delivered by Barbara Melvin, President and CEO, South Carolina Ports - Tuesday, October 28, 2025 - 11:00 am Networking Reception, 12:00 pm Lunch and Address
Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418 (ATTACHED)
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SECURITY LEVEL: MARSEC 1
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HURRICANE ALERT: 4/SEASONAL – Tropical Storm Erin Advisory Number 5
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL052025
1100 AM AST Tue Aug 12 2025
...ERIN MOVING QUICKLY WESTWARD......FORECAST TO BECOME A HURRICANE IN A FEW DAYS OVER THE CENTRAL TROPICAL ATLANTIC...
SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
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LOCATION...17.2N 36.3W
ABOUT 820 MI...1315 KM W OF THE CABO VERDE ISLANDS
ABOUT 1765 MI...2835 KM E OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...45 MPH...75 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 265 DEGREES AT 23 MPH...37 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1006 MB...29.71 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
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There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
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1. Northwestern Atlantic: A non-tropical area of low pressure located a few hundred miles southeast of Nova Scotia, Canada, is producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity to the west of its center. Some
limited tropical or subtropical development is possible over the next day or so as the low meanders near the relatively warm waters of the Gulf Stream. The system is expected to move northward over cooler waters by Wednesday, ending its chances for tropical development.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...low...10 percent.
2. North-Central Gulf: A surface trough near the coast of Louisiana is producing a broad area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. While development of this system is not anticipated before it moves inland later
today, locally heavy rainfall could produce flash flooding across portions of the northern Gulf coast over the next day or so. For more information on the rainfall hazards related to this system, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...low...near 0 percent.
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Tides / Currents
CHARLESTON TIDES:
Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
/Low Time Feet Sunset Visible
AUGUST 2025
Tu 12 Low 4:45 AM -0.2 6:41 AM Set 10:05 AM 93
12 High 10:46 AM 5.8 8:08 PM Rise 10:11 PM
12 Low 5:02 PM 0.1
12 High 11:11 PM 5.9
W 13 Low 5:29 AM -0.3 6:42 AM Set 11:12 AM 86
13 High 11:36 AM 5.9 8:07 PM Rise 10:42 PM
13 Low 5:56 PM 0.3
13 High 11:58 PM 5.6
Th 14 Low 6:16 AM -0.2 6:43 AM Set 12:20 PM 77
14 High 12:30 PM 6.0 8:06 PM Rise 11:16 PM
14 Low 6:54 PM 0.5
F 15 High 12:50 AM 5.3 6:44 AM Set 1:31 PM 66
15 Low 7:08 AM -0.1 8:04 PM Rise 11:55 PM
15 High 1:28 PM 6.0
15 Low 7:56 PM 0.7
Sa 16 High 1:48 AM 5.1 6:44 AM Set 2:42 PM 55
16 Low 8:04 AM 0.0 8:03 PM
16 High 2:31 PM 6.0
16 Low 9:02 PM 0.9
Su 17 High 2:51 AM 4.9 6:45 AM Rise 12:41 AM 44
17 Low 9:05 AM 0.1 8:02 PM Set 3:51 PM
17 High 3:37 PM 6.0
17 Low 10:10 PM 0.9
M 18 High 3:58 AM 4.8 6:46 AM Rise 1:35 AM 33
18 Low 10:09 AM 0.1 8:01 PM Set 4:56 PM
18 High 4:44 PM 6.1
18 Low 11:14 PM 0.8
Tu 19 High 5:04 AM 4.9 6:46 AM Rise 2:38 AM 22
19 Low 11:13 AM 0.1 8:00 PM Set 5:52 PM
19 High 5:46 PM 6.2
W 20 Low 12:13 AM 0.7 6:47 AM Rise 3:45 AM 14
20 High 6:06 AM 5.0 7:59 PM Set 6:39 PM
20 Low 12:12 PM 0.0
20 High 6:44 PM 6.3
Th 21 Low 1:07 AM 0.5 6:48 AM Rise 4:53 AM 7
21 High 7:03 AM 5.2 7:58 PM Set 7:18 PM
21 Low 1:08 PM -0.1
21 High 7:35 PM 6.3
F 22 Low 1:55 AM 0.3 6:48 AM Rise 6:00 AM 2
22 High 7:56 AM 5.4 7:57 PM Set 7:50 PM
22 Low 1:59 PM -0.1
22 High 8:21 PM 6.3
Sa 23 Low 2:40 AM 0.3 6:49 AM Rise 7:03 AM 0
23 High 8:44 AM 5.5 7:55 PM Set 8:19 PM
23 Low 2:47 PM 0.0
23 High 9:03 PM 6.2
Su 24 Low 3:22 AM 0.2 6:50 AM Rise 8:04 AM 0
24 High 9:30 AM 5.6 7:54 PM Set 8:45 PM
24 Low 3:33 PM 0.2
24 High 9:43 PM 6.0
M 25 Low 4:01 AM 0.3 6:50 AM Rise 9:02 AM 2
25 High 10:12 AM 5.6 7:53 PM Set 9:10 PM
25 Low 4:17 PM 0.4
25 High 10:20 PM 5.7
Tu 26 Low 4:37 AM 0.4 6:51 AM Rise 9:59 AM 6
26 High 10:53 AM 5.6 7:52 PM Set 9:35 PM
26 Low 5:00 PM 0.7
26 High 10:57 PM 5.4
W 27 Low 5:12 AM 0.6 6:52 AM Rise 10:56 AM 11
27 High 11:34 AM 5.5 7:51 PM Set 10:02 PM
27 Low 5:43 PM 0.9
27 High 11:34 PM 5.2
Th 28 Low 5:46 AM 0.8 6:52 AM Rise 11:53 AM 18
28 High 12:15 PM 5.4 7:49 PM Set 10:31 PM
28 Low 6:27 PM 1.2
F 29 High 12:14 AM 4.9 6:53 AM Rise 12:51 PM 26
29 Low 6:22 AM 0.9 7:48 PM Set 11:04 PM
29 High 12:59 PM 5.4
29 Low 7:14 PM 1.4
Sa 30 High 12:57 AM 4.7 6:53 AM Rise 1:50 PM 35
30 Low 7:02 AM 1.1 7:47 PM Set 11:42 PM
30 High 1:47 PM 5.3
30 Low 8:05 PM 1.6
Su 31 High 1:46 AM 4.5 6:54 AM Rise 2:48 PM 44
31 Low 7:50 AM 1.2 7:45 PM
31 High 2:41 PM 5.3
31 Low 9:01 PM 1.6
SEPTEMBER 2025
M 1 High 2:40 AM 4.5 6:55 AM Set 12:27 AM 54
1 Low 8:45 AM 1.2 7:44 PM Rise 3:44 PM
1 High 3:39 PM 5.4
1 Low 10:00 PM 1.6
Tu 2 High 3:38 AM 4.5 6:55 AM Set 1:19 AM 63
2 Low 9:45 AM 1.1 7:43 PM Rise 4:36 PM
2 High 4:36 PM 5.5
2 Low 10:56 PM 1.4
W 3 High 4:36 AM 4.6 6:56 AM Set 2:17 AM 73
3 Low 10:45 AM 0.9 7:42 PM Rise 5:22 PM
3 High 5:30 PM 5.8
3 Low 11:48 PM 1.1
Th 4 High 5:31 AM 4.9 6:57 AM Set 3:21 AM 81
4 Low 11:42 AM 0.7 7:40 PM Rise 6:03 PM
4 High 6:20 PM 6.0
F 5 Low 12:36 AM 0.8 6:57 AM Set 4:27 AM 88
5 High 6:24 AM 5.2 7:39 PM Rise 6:39 PM
5 Low 12:36 PM 0.4
5 High 7:07 PM 6.2
Sa 6 Low 1:22 AM 0.5 6:58 AM Set 5:34 AM 94
6 High 7:13 AM 5.5 7:38 PM Rise 7:11 PM
6 Low 1:27 PM 0.2
6 High 7:52 PM 6.4
Su 7 Low 2:05 AM 0.1 6:59 AM Set 6:41 AM 98
7 High 8:01 AM 5.9 7:36 PM Rise 7:42 PM
7 Low 2:17 PM 0.0
7 High 8:35 PM 6.5
M 8 Low 2:49 AM -0.1 6:59 AM Set 7:49 AM 99
8 High 8:49 AM 6.2 7:35 PM Rise 8:11 PM
8 Low 3:07 PM -0.1
8 High 9:19 PM 6.4
Tu 9 Low 3:32 AM -0.3 7:00 AM Set 8:57 AM 98
9 High 9:36 AM 6.4 7:34 PM Rise 8:42 PM
9 Low 3:57 PM 0.0
9 High 10:03 PM 6.2
W 10 Low 4:16 AM -0.3 7:01 AM Set 10:07 AM 94
10 High 10:25 AM 6.6 7:32 PM Rise 9:16 PM
10 Low 4:49 PM 0.1
10 High 10:50 PM 5.9
Th 11 Low 5:03 AM -0.3 7:01 AM Set 11:19 AM 88
11 High 11:17 AM 6.6 7:31 PM Rise 9:54 PM
11 Low 5:43 PM 0.4
11 High 11:41 PM 5.6
F 12 Low 5:53 AM -0.1 7:02 AM Set 12:32 PM 79
12 High 12:13 PM 6.5 7:30 PM Rise 10:38 PM
12 Low 6:41 PM 0.6
Sa 13 High 12:37 AM 5.4 7:02 AM Set 1:43 PM 69
13 Low 6:47 AM 0.1 7:28 PM Rise 11:31 PM
13 High 1:14 PM 6.3
13 Low 7:44 PM 0.9
Su 14 High 1:39 AM 5.1 7:03 AM Set 2:50 PM 58
14 Low 7:48 AM 0.3 7:27 PM
14 High 2:20 PM 6.2
14 Low 8:50 PM 1.1
Th 11 Low 5:03 AM -0.3 7:01 AM Set 11:19 AM 88
11 High 11:17 AM 6.6 7:31 PM Rise 9:54 PM
11 Low 5:43 PM 0.4
11 High 11:41 PM 5.6
F 12 Low 5:53 AM -0.1 7:02 AM Set 12:32 PM 79
12 High 12:13 PM 6.5 7:30 PM Rise 10:38 PM
12 Low 6:41 PM 0.6
Sa 13 High 12:37 AM 5.4 7:02 AM Set 1:43 PM 69
13 Low 6:47 AM 0.1 7:28 PM Rise 11:31 PM
13 High 1:14 PM 6.3
13 Low 7:44 PM 0.9
Su 14 High 1:39 AM 5.1 7:03 AM Set 2:50 PM 58
14 Low 7:48 AM 0.3 7:27 PM
14 High 2:20 PM 6.2
14 Low 8:50 PM 1.1
M 15 High 2:46 AM 5.0 7:04 AM Rise 12:31 AM 46
15 Low 8:53 AM 0.5 7:26 PM Set 3:48 PM
15 High 3:29 PM 6.1
15 Low 9:57 PM 1.1
Tu 16 High 3:53 AM 5.0 7:04 AM Rise 1:36 AM 35
16 Low 9:59 AM 0.5 7:24 PM Set 4:37 PM
16 High 4:34 PM 6.1
16 Low 10:59 PM 1.0
W 17 High 4:58 AM 5.2 7:05 AM Rise 2:43 AM 25
17 Low 11:03 AM 0.5 7:23 PM Set 5:18 PM
17 High 5:34 PM 6.1
17 Low 11:55 PM 0.8
Th 18 High 5:57 AM 5.4 7:06 AM Rise 3:49 AM 16
18 Low 12:01 PM 0.4 7:22 PM Set 5:52 PM
18 High 6:26 PM 6.2
F 19 Low 12:45 AM 0.7 7:06 AM Rise 4:53 AM 9
19 High 6:49 AM 5.6 7:20 PM Set 6:21 PM
19 Low 12:54 PM 0.3
19 High 7:12 PM 6.2
Sa 20 Low 1:29 AM 0.5 7:07 AM Rise 5:53 AM 4
20 High 7:37 AM 5.8 7:19 PM Set 6:48 PM
20 Low 1:42 PM 0.3
20 High 7:54 PM 6.1
Su 21 Low 2:10 AM 0.4 7:08 AM Rise 6:52 AM 1
21 High 8:21 AM 5.9 7:17 PM Set 7:13 PM
21 Low 2:27 PM 0.4
21 High 8:32 PM 6.0
M 22 Low 2:48 AM 0.4 7:08 AM Rise 7:49 AM 0
22 High 9:01 AM 6.0 7:16 PM Set 7:37 PM
22 Low 3:10 PM 0.5
22 High 9:09 PM 5.8
Tu 23 Low 3:23 AM 0.5 7:09 AM Rise 8:46 AM 0
23 High 9:39 AM 6.0 7:15 PM Set 8:03 PM
23 Low 3:51 PM 0.6
23 High 9:45 PM 5.6
W 24 Low 3:56 AM 0.7 7:10 AM Rise 9:43 AM 3
24 High 10:16 AM 6.0 7:13 PM Set 8:31 PM
24 Low 4:31 PM 0.9
24 High 10:20 PM 5.4
Th 25 Low 4:28 AM 0.8 7:10 AM Rise 10:41 AM 7
25 High 10:53 AM 5.8 7:12 PM Set 9:03 PM
25 Low 5:10 PM 1.1
25 High 10:56 PM 5.1
F 26 Low 5:01 AM 1.0 7:11 AM Rise 11:39 AM 13
26 High 11:30 AM 5.7 7:11 PM Set 9:39 PM
26 Low 5:51 PM 1.3
26 High 11:34 PM 4.9
Sa 27 Low 5:37 AM 1.2 7:12 AM Rise 12:38 PM 20
27 High 12:12 PM 5.6 7:09 PM Set 10:21 PM
27 Low 6:35 PM 1.5
Su 28 High 12:16 AM 4.7 7:12 AM Rise 1:34 PM 28
28 Low 6:18 AM 1.3 7:08 PM Set 11:09 PM
28 High 12:59 PM 5.4
28 Low 7:24 PM 1.7
M 29 High 1:04 AM 4.6 7:13 AM Rise 2:27 PM 37
29 Low 7:07 AM 1.4 7:07 PM
29 High 1:54 PM 5.4
29 Low 8:19 PM 1.7
Tu 30 High 1:59 AM 4.6 7:14 AM Set 12:04 AM 47
30 Low 8:04 AM 1.4 7:05 PM Rise 3:14 PM
30 High 2:55 PM 5.4
30 Low 9:18 PM 1.7
Weather / Marine Zone Forecast
MARINE WEATHER - 3NM ESE Capers Reef MR
Marine Zone Forecast
TodaySE winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming S. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: SE 2 ft at 6 seconds. A chance of showers and tstms until late afternoon, then a slight chance of showers and tstms late.
TonightS winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: S 2 ft at 5 seconds and E 2 ft at 8 seconds. A slight chance of showers and tstms after midnight.
WedSW winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: S 2 ft at 4 seconds and SE 2 ft at 9 seconds. A chance of showers and tstms.
Wed NightSW winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: S 2 ft at 4 seconds and SE 2 ft at 7 seconds. A slight chance of showers and tstms in the evening, then a chance of showers and tstms after midnight.
ThuSW winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: SW 2 ft at 5 seconds and E 2 ft at 8 seconds. A chance of showers and tstms.
Thu NightSW winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: S 2 ft at 4 seconds and SE 1 foot at 9 seconds. A chance of showers and tstms.
FriSW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. A chance of showers and tstms.
Fri NightSW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. A chance of showers and tstms.
SatNE winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. A chance of showers and tstms.
Sat NightNE winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. A chance of showers and tstms.
winds and seas higher in and near tstms.
