Port Update
Charleston, SC
September 04, 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 – NONE
DUE – ATB GALVESTON, ATB CORPUS CHRISTI, 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: NONE
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FUTURE EVENTS: 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
10/02/25 – 1800 – MASC - 2025 OKTOBERFEST - When Oct 2, 2025 6:00 PM (EDT) Where Charles Towne Landing Old Towne Road 1500 Charleston, South Carolina - Enjoy an Oktoberfest-themed event with fellow members, colleagues & friends at Founders Hall (Charles Towne Landing). We'll serve up German food and craft beer (along with other beverages) as we listen to music & network. Come ready to participate -- we will have games, raffle prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and a costume contest. Sponsorships are now available. Contact us at staff@maritimesc.org with any questions.
10/23/25 - 0800 - MASC Nav/Ops Meeting
10/23/25 - Harbor Safety Committee meeting on October 23, 2025 at the Ports Authority – 200 Ports Authority Drive, Mt. Pleasant.
10/27/25 -Maritime Mixer | JLL warehouse - Monday, October 27·5:30 – 7:30pm
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
10/28-30/25 – SCSPA - the South Carolina International Trade Conference is experiencing record registrations this year -- October 28-30 at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Both events highlight the vitality of our maritime and logistics sector and offer unmatched opportunities to exchange ideas, explore trends, and build connections. We are looking forward to a dynamic October together.
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SECURITY LEVEL: MARSEC 1
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HURRICANE ALERT: 4/SEASONAL – Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
800 AM EDT Thu Sep 4 2025
For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America:
1. Tropical Atlantic:
Showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave located
over the eastern tropical Atlantic several hundred miles
west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands have started to consolidate
and become slightly better organized. Environmental conditions are
conducive for development of this system during the next several
days, and a tropical depression is likely to form late this week or
this weekend over central tropical Atlantic while moving slowly
toward the west-northwest at 5 to 10 mph. The system is likely to
move faster toward the west or west-northwest thereafter and reach
the waters east of the Lesser Antilles by the middle of next week.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...50 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...high...80 percent.
Tides / Currents
CHARLESTON TIDES:
Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
/Low Time Feet Sunset Visible
SEPTEMBER 2025
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
October 2025
W 1 High 3:00 AM 4.7 7:14 AM Set 1:04 AM 57
1 Low 9:08 AM 1.3 7:04 PM Rise 3:57 PM
1 High 3:55 PM 5.6
1 Low 10:15 PM 1.4
Th 2 High 4:01 AM 4.9 7:15 AM Set 2:08 AM 66
2 Low 10:13 AM 1.1 7:03 PM Rise 4:34 PM
2 High 4:51 PM 5.8
2 Low 11:09 PM 1.1
F 3 High 5:00 AM 5.2 7:16 AM Set 3:13 AM 76
3 Low 11:14 AM 0.8 7:01 PM Rise 5:07 PM
3 High 5:43 PM 6.1
3 Low 11:59 PM 0.7
Sa 4 High 5:54 AM 5.7 7:16 AM Set 4:19 AM 84
4 Low 12:11 PM 0.5 7:00 PM Rise 5:38 PM
4 High 6:31 PM 6.3
Su 5 Low 12:46 AM 0.3 7:17 AM Set 5:26 AM 91
5 High 6:46 AM 6.1 6:59 PM Rise 6:08 PM
5 Low 1:06 PM 0.2
5 High 7:19 PM 6.4
M 6 Low 1:32 AM -0.1 7:18 AM Set 6:34 AM 97
6 High 7:35 AM 6.6 6:58 PM Rise 6:38 PM
6 Low 1:58 PM 0.0
6 High 8:05 PM 6.4
Tu 7 Low 2:17 AM -0.3 7:18 AM Set 7:45 AM 99
7 High 8:25 AM 6.9 6:56 PM Rise 7:11 PM
7 Low 2:50 PM -0.1
7 High 8:52 PM 6.3
W 8 Low 3:03 AM -0.4 7:19 AM Set 8:58 AM 99
8 High 9:14 AM 7.1 6:55 PM Rise 7:49 PM
8 Low 3:42 PM -0.1
8 High 9:41 PM 6.1
Th 9 Low 3:50 AM -0.4 7:20 AM Set 10:13 AM 96
9 High 10:05 AM 7.1 6:54 PM Rise 8:32 PM
9 Low 4:35 PM 0.1
9 High 10:31 PM 5.9
F 10 Low 4:40 AM -0.3 7:21 AM Set 11:28 AM 90
10 High 11:00 AM 6.9 6:53 PM Rise 9:23 PM
10 Low 5:30 PM 0.4
10 High 11:26 PM 5.6
Sa 11 Low 5:33 AM 0.0 7:21 AM Set 12:39 PM 82
11 High 11:58 AM 6.7 6:51 PM Rise 10:23 PM
11 Low 6:28 PM 0.7
Su 12 High 12:25 AM 5.3 7:22 AM Set 1:42 PM 72
12 Low 6:30 AM 0.3 6:50 PM Rise 11:28 PM
12 High 1:01 PM 6.4
12 Low 7:30 PM 0.9
M 13 High 1:30 AM 5.2 7:23 AM Set 2:35 PM 61
13 Low 7:33 AM 0.5 6:49 PM
13 High 2:08 PM 6.1
13 Low 8:34 PM 1.1
Tu 14 High 2:38 AM 5.1 7:23 AM Rise 12:36 AM 50
14 Low 8:39 AM 0.7 6:48 PM Set 3:19 PM
14 High 3:14 PM 6.0
14 Low 9:38 PM 1.1
W 15 High 3:44 AM 5.2 7:24 AM Rise 1:43 AM 39
15 Low 9:46 AM 0.8 6:46 PM Set 3:55 PM
15 High 4:16 PM 5.9
15 Low 10:37 PM 1.0
Th 16 High 4:45 AM 5.4 7:25 AM Rise 2:47 AM 29
16 Low 10:48 AM 0.8 6:45 PM Set 4:25 PM
16 High 5:10 PM 5.9
16 Low 11:30 PM 0.8
F 17 High 5:41 AM 5.6 7:26 AM Rise 3:47 AM 20
17 Low 11:45 AM 0.7 6:44 PM Set 4:52 PM
17 High 5:59 PM 5.9
Sa 18 Low 12:16 AM 0.7 7:27 AM Rise 4:46 AM 13
18 High 6:30 AM 5.8 6:43 PM Set 5:17 PM
18 Low 12:36 PM 0.6
18 High 6:42 PM 5.8
Su 19 Low 12:58 AM 0.6 7:27 AM Rise 5:42 AM 7
19 High 7:14 AM 6.0 6:42 PM Set 5:41 PM
19 Low 1:22 PM 0.6
19 High 7:23 PM 5.8
M 20 Low 1:37 AM 0.5 7:28 AM Rise 6:38 AM 2
20 High 7:54 AM 6.2 6:41 PM Set 6:06 PM
20 Low 2:06 PM 0.6
20 High 8:01 PM 5.7
Tu 21 Low 2:13 AM 0.5 7:29 AM Rise 7:35 AM 0
21 High 8:32 AM 6.2 6:40 PM Set 6:33 PM
21 Low 2:47 PM 0.6
21 High 8:38 PM 5.5
W 22 Low 2:47 AM 0.6 7:30 AM Rise 8:32 AM 0
22 High 9:09 AM 6.2 6:39 PM Set 7:03 PM
22 Low 3:26 PM 0.7
22 High 9:14 PM 5.3
Th 23 Low 3:19 AM 0.7 7:30 AM Rise 9:30 AM 1
23 High 9:44 AM 6.1 6:37 PM Set 7:38 PM
23 Low 4:04 PM 0.9
23 High 9:49 PM 5.2
F 24 Low 3:52 AM 0.8 7:31 AM Rise 10:29 AM 4
24 High 10:20 AM 6.0 6:36 PM Set 8:18 PM
24 Low 4:42 PM 1.0
24 High 10:24 PM 5.0
Sa 25 Low 4:26 AM 1.0 7:32 AM Rise 11:26 AM 9
25 High 10:56 AM 5.8 6:35 PM Set 9:04 PM
25 Low 5:21 PM 1.2
25 High 11:01 PM 4.8
Su 26 Low 5:02 AM 1.1 7:33 AM Rise 12:20 PM 15
26 High 11:35 AM 5.6 6:34 PM Set 9:56 PM
26 Low 6:03 PM 1.4
26 High 11:41 PM 4.7
M 27 Low 5:44 AM 1.2 7:34 AM Rise 1:09 PM 22
27 High 12:20 PM 5.5 6:33 PM Set 10:53 PM
27 Low 6:50 PM 1.5
Tu 28 High 12:28 AM 4.6 7:35 AM Rise 1:52 PM 31
28 Low 6:33 AM 1.3 6:32 PM Set 11:54 PM
28 High 1:12 PM 5.4
28 Low 7:42 PM 1.5
W 29 High 1:23 AM 4.6 7:35 AM Rise 2:30 PM 40
29 Low 7:30 AM 1.3 6:31 PM
29 High 2:10 PM 5.5
29 Low 8:38 PM 1.4
Th 30 High 2:24 AM 4.7 7:36 AM Set 12:57 AM 50
30 Low 8:35 AM 1.2 6:30 PM Rise 3:03 PM
30 High 3:10 PM 5.5
30 Low 9:34 PM 1.1
F 31 High 3:27 AM 5.0 7:37 AM Set 2:00 AM 60
31 Low 9:42 AM 1.1 6:29 PM Rise 3:34 PM
31 High 4:08 PM 5.7
31 Low 10:29 PM 0.8
Weather / Marine Zone Forecast
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MARINE WEATHER - 2NM E Capers Reef MR
Marine Zone Forecast
TodayE winds 5 kt, becoming SE 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. wave detail: E 2 ft at 8 seconds.
TonightS winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: E 2 ft at 8 seconds.
FriNE winds 5 kt, becoming E in the afternoon. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: E 2 ft at 8 seconds.
Fri NightE winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: E 2 ft at 8 seconds.
SatNE winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: E 2 ft at 8 seconds.
Sat NightSE winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming SW after midnight. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: SE 2 ft at 7 seconds.
SunSW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. A slight chance of showers and tstms.
Sun NightNE winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. A chance of showers and tstms.
MonNE winds 15 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft. A chance of showers and tstms.
Mon NightNE winds 20 to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. A chance of showers and tstms.
winds and seas higher in and near tstms.
