Port Update
Charleston, SC
August 18, 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)
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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 – CHEM SPICA
DUE – ATB GALVESTON, MARIE C, CIELO DI NEW YORK, CHEMWAY ARROW, ATB COASTAL RELIANCE
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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: 08/25/25 – 1400 - MASC - Join us for a firsthand executive-level account of a major ransomware incident that disrupted operations at SEA and challenged their organizational resilience. This session will explore how the attack unfolded, the leadership decisions made in real time, and the critical lessons that reshaped our governance, communication, and crisis response. Designed for senior leaders, this discussion will focus on the strategic and operational implications of cyber incidents—and how executive teams can better prepare, lead, and align during crisis. Whether you oversee operations, technology, or enterprise risk, you'll leave with actionable insights for strengthening your organization's readiness and leadership coordination.
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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
09/16/25 – MASC - MASC | Membership Orientation - September 16, 2025 - 7:45 AM - 9:00 AM (EDT) - MASC Office, 4500 Leeds Avenue, Room Number W281, South Carolina - Come learn about ways to get involved with MASC and benefits offered to our membership:
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 – Hurricane Erin Intermediate Advisory Number 28A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL052025
800 AM EDT Mon Aug 18 2025
...LARGE AND POWERFUL HURRICANE ERIN LOCATED JUST EAST OF THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS...
...LIFE-THREATENING SURF AND RIP CURRENTS LIKELY ACROSS THE U.S. EASTERN SEABOARD THIS WEEK...
SUMMARY OF 800 AM EDT...1200 UTC...INFORMATION
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LOCATION...23.1N 70.5W
ABOUT 115 MI...190 KM NNE OF GRAND TURK ISLAND
ABOUT 890 MI...1430 KM SSE OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...130 MPH...215 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 305 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...933 MB...27.55 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
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CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
None.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Turks and Caicos Islands
* Southeast Bahamas
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Central Bahamas
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1. Tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave located over the eastern tropical Atlantic is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form during the latter part of the
week. This system should move westward to west-northwestward at about 20 mph across the central tropical Atlantic and approach the vicinity of the Leeward Islands toward the end of the week.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...medium...50 percent.
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Tides / Currents
CHARLESTON TIDES:
Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
/Low Time Feet Sunset Visible
AUGUST 2025
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 - Hazardous Weather Conditions
Small Craft Advisory in effect from August 19, 04:00 AM EDT until August 21, 08:00 PM EDT
Last Update: 715 AM EDT Mon Aug 18 2025
View Nearby Observations
3NM SW Capers Reef MR
Marine Zone Forecast
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING...
TodayN winds 5 kt, becoming E this afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: SE 3 ft at 15 seconds and E 2 ft at 9 seconds.
TonightSE winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming E after midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft, building to 4 to 5 ft after midnight. Wave detail: SE 4 ft at 14 seconds, becoming SE 5 ft at 17 seconds.
TueNE winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts to 25 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft, building to 7 to 9 ft in the afternoon. Wave detail: SE 7 ft at 17 seconds, becoming SE 9 ft at 16 seconds. A slight chance of showers in the morning, then a chance of showers and tstms in the afternoon.
Tue NightNE winds 20 kt with gusts to 25 kt. Seas 8 to 10 ft, building to 9 to 11 ft after midnight. Wave detail: SE 9 ft at 15 seconds, becoming SE 10 ft at 16 seconds. A chance of showers. A chance of tstms, mainly in the evening.
WedN winds 20 to 25 kt with gusts to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 12 ft. Wave detail: SE 11 ft at 16 seconds. A chance of showers and tstms.
Wed NightN winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts to 30 kt. Seas 10 to 12 ft, subsiding to 9 to 12 ft after midnight. Wave detail: SE 11 ft at 16 seconds, becoming SE 11 ft at 15 seconds and SE 6 ft at 7 seconds. A chance of showers and tstms in the evening.
ThuN winds 15 to 20 kt. Seas 8 to 10 ft.
Thu NightSE winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 6 to 8 ft. A chance of showers and tstms.
FriE winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. A chance of showers and tstms.
Fri NightSE winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft. A chance of showers and tstms.
winds and seas higher in and near tstms.
