Port Update
Charleston, SC
September 23, 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
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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: 09/25/25 - 0800 - MASC Nav/Ops Meeting - MASC Business & Nav/Ops meetings (8am - 9am) - Serves as the Maritime Association's monthly membership meeting, inviting all members to network. This meeting includes Association briefings, Federal and State Agency reports, and a brief industry presentation on various topics. The meeting closes with public comments and/or announcements. This is a great place to get to know your community and happenings in and around the port. All members are welcome to attend.
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FUTURE EVENTS: 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. ATTACHED
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
10/27/25 – MASC - Shipyard Creek Logistics Center | Grand Opening! - Save the date October 27, 2025 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM (EDT) Venue Location Shipyard Creek Logistics Center
2040 Sewanee Road North Charleston, South Carolina - Shipyard Creek Logistics Center, Maritime Association of South Carolina, Capital Development Partners, JLLPhone: +1 8649924338Contact Person: Taylor Jackson Email: tjackson@maritimesc.org - Join Charleston's Maritime Industry for an exciting look at the future of supply chain on the East Coast! Get ready to celebrate the launch of Shipyard Creek, Charleston's newest state-of-the-art trans-load facility, positioned right next to the Hugh Leatherman Terminal (SCPA). This game changing logistics hub features a high-powered trans-load operation and a brand new build-to-suit facility for East Coast Warehouse. Capital Development Partners Maritime Association of South Carolina JLL
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 – Hurricane Gabrielle Advisory Number 26 - NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL072025 - 500 AM AST Tue Sep 23 2025
...GABRIELLE MOVING NORTHEASTWARD INTO THE OPEN CENTRAL ATLANTIC......INTERESTS IN THE AZORES SHOULD MONITOR ITS PROGRESS...
SUMMARY OF 500 AM AST...0900 UTC...INFORMATION
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LOCATION...33.2N 59.7W
ABOUT 305 MI...485 KM ENE OF BERMUDA
ABOUT 1855 MI...2985 KM W OF THE AZORES
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...140 MPH...220 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NE OR 45 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...949 MB...28.03 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
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There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Interests in the Azores should monitor the progress of Gabrielle.
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1. Central and Western Tropical Atlantic (AL93): Shower and thunderstorm activity associated with a tropical wave located a little less than 1000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles continues to show signs of organization. Environmental conditions are forecast to be favorable for development over the next several days, and a tropical depression is likely to form by the latter half of this week while the system moves west-northwestward to
northwestward into the western tropical Atlantic.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...50 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...high...90 percent.
2. East of the Leeward Islands (AL94): A tropical wave is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms, and gusty winds across much of the Windward and Leeward Islands. This wave is expected to move west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph, spreading heavy rainfall and gusty winds into Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands tonight and Wednesday. The system is then expected to slow down and turn northwestward when it
reaches the southwestern Atlantic near the Bahamas late this week, and a tropical depression could form when the disturbance is in that region. Interests in the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Bahamas should monitor the progress of this
system.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...20 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...medium...60 percent.
Tides / Currents
CHARLESTON TIDES:
Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
/Low Time Feet Sunset Visible
SEPTEMBER 2025
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
MARINE WEATHER - 4NM E Capers Reef MR
Marine Zone Forecast
TodayNE winds 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave detail: E 4 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of showers and tstms early this morning.
TonightVariable winds 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave detail: E 4 ft at 12 seconds.
WedNW winds 5 kt, becoming SE in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave detail: E 4 ft at 12 seconds.
Wed NightS winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: E 3 ft at 11 seconds.
ThuSW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: E 3 ft at 10 seconds and S 2 ft at 4 seconds. A slight chance of showers and tstms.
Thu NightS winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 ft. Wave detail: S 2 ft at 4 seconds and E 2 ft at 9 seconds. A chance of showers and tstms.
FriSW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. A chance of showers and tstms.
Fri NightSW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Showers likely with a chance of tstms.
SatW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. A chance of showers and tstms.
Sat NightE winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. A chance of showers and tstms.
winds and seas higher in and near tstms.
