Port Update

Charleston, SC

December 04, 2025

Notices

PORT LIMITS/INFORMATION
------------------------
Maximum Depths - (Fresh)
Harbor Entrance – 52’00
Main Channel – 54’00
 
BERTH LIMITS/INFORMATION: (CONFIRMED 10/22/25)
-------------------------
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
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
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
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.
 
=====================================================================================================================================
TANKER VESSEL TRAFFIC:   IN – NONE
 
DUE – ATTACHED
=====================================================================================================================================
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.
 
=============================================================================================================================================================================
CURRENT ARTICLES:   - NONE
=============================================================================================================================================================================
CURRENT EVENTS:  12/11/25 –Waterfront Collective Christmas Party - Maritime Association of South Carolina logoCharleston Motor Carriers Association logoCharleston Women in International Trade logoThe Propeller Club of Charleston – When Thursday, December 11, 2025 (5:00 PM - 10:00 PM) (EST)  Where  The Grand 81 Mary Street  Charleston, South Carolina  Organizer Maritime Association of South Carolina, Charleston Motor Carriers Association, Charleston Women in International Trade, The Propeller Club of Charleston Contact Organizer +1 8649924338
 
============================================================================================================================================================================
FUTURE EVENTS:  12/16/25 – MASC GOLF - 2025 Maritime Holiday Golf Tournament  Register - Save the date  December 16, 2025  9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (EST)  Venue Location  City of Charleston Municipal Golf Course
Maybank Highway 2110  Charleston, South Carolina  Organizer: Maritime Association of South Carolina Phone: +1 8649924338Contact Person: Valerie Torres Email: vtorres@maritimesc.org
 
=============================================================================================================================================================================
SECURITY LEVEL: MARSEC 1
=====================================================================================================================
HURRICANE ALERT:  5/OFF SEASON
=====================================================================================================================
RIGHT WHALE SEASON – SPEED RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE NOW THROUGH APRIL 30, 2026  
=====================================================================================================================

Tides / Currents

CHARLESTON TIDES:
 
Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon
           /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                    Visible
 
DECEMBER 2025
 
Th   4      Low  12:26 AM    -0.8   7:07 AM     Set  6:49 AM      97
     4     High   6:47 AM     6.9   5:13 PM    Rise  4:47 PM
     4      Low   1:19 PM    -0.3
     4     High   7:11 PM     5.5
 
F    5      Low   1:19 AM    -0.9   7:08 AM     Set  8:03 AM      99
     5     High   7:42 AM     7.0   5:13 PM    Rise  5:50 PM
     5      Low   2:12 PM    -0.4
     5     High   8:06 PM     5.4
 
Sa   6      Low   2:12 AM    -0.9   7:08 AM     Set  9:09 AM      99
     6     High   8:37 AM     6.9   5:13 PM    Rise  7:01 PM
     6      Low   3:05 PM    -0.3
     6     High   9:01 PM     5.3
 
Su   7      Low   3:05 AM    -0.7   7:09 AM     Set 10:05 AM      95
     7     High   9:32 AM     6.6   5:13 PM    Rise  8:13 PM
     7      Low   3:58 PM    -0.1
     7     High   9:57 PM     5.2
 
M    8      Low   3:59 AM    -0.4   7:10 AM     Set 10:50 AM      89
     8     High  10:27 AM     6.3   5:14 PM    Rise  9:24 PM
     8      Low   4:50 PM     0.1
     8     High  10:54 PM     5.1
 
Tu   9      Low   4:55 AM    -0.1   7:11 AM     Set 11:26 AM      81
     9     High  11:21 AM     5.9   5:14 PM    Rise 10:30 PM
     9      Low   5:44 PM     0.3
     9     High  11:53 PM     5.0
 
W   10      Low   5:53 AM     0.3   7:11 AM     Set 11:57 AM      71
    10     High  12:15 PM     5.6   5:14 PM    Rise 11:33 PM
    10      Low   6:37 PM     0.5
 
Th  11     High  12:53 AM     4.9   7:12 AM     Set 12:24 PM      61
    11      Low   6:53 AM     0.6   5:14 PM
    11     High   1:08 PM     5.2
    11      Low   7:31 PM     0.6
 
F   12     High   1:51 AM     5.0   7:13 AM    Rise 12:31 AM      51
    12      Low   7:54 AM     0.8   5:14 PM     Set 12:49 PM
    12     High   2:00 PM     4.9
    12      Low   8:23 PM     0.6
 
Sa  13     High   2:48 AM     5.1   7:14 AM    Rise  1:28 AM      41
    13      Low   8:55 AM     0.9   5:15 PM     Set  1:14 PM
    13     High   2:52 PM     4.7
    13      Low   9:13 PM     0.6
 
Su  14     High   3:40 AM     5.2   7:14 AM    Rise  2:24 AM      32
    14      Low   9:52 AM     0.9   5:15 PM     Set  1:40 PM
    14     High   3:42 PM     4.6
    14      Low  10:00 PM     0.5
 
M   15     High   4:29 AM     5.4   7:15 AM    Rise  3:20 AM      23
    15      Low  10:45 AM     0.8   5:15 PM     Set  2:08 PM
    15     High   4:30 PM     4.6
    15      Low  10:45 PM     0.5
 
Tu  16     High   5:16 AM     5.5   7:15 AM    Rise  4:17 AM      16
    16      Low  11:33 AM     0.6   5:16 PM     Set  2:39 PM
    16     High   5:17 PM     4.6
    16      Low  11:27 PM     0.4
 
W   17     High   5:59 AM     5.7   7:16 AM    Rise  5:15 AM      9
    17      Low  12:17 PM     0.5   5:16 PM     Set  3:15 PM
    17     High   6:02 PM     4.6
 
Th  18      Low  12:08 AM     0.3   7:17 AM    Rise  6:13 AM      4
    18     High   6:42 AM     5.7   5:16 PM     Set  3:58 PM
    18      Low  12:59 PM     0.4
    18     High   6:44 PM     4.6
 
F   19      Low  12:48 AM     0.2   7:17 AM    Rise  7:09 AM      1
    19     High   7:22 AM     5.8   5:17 PM     Set  4:47 PM
    19      Low   1:39 PM     0.4
    19     High   7:25 PM     4.6
 
Sa  20      Low   1:26 AM     0.2   7:18 AM    Rise  8:01 AM      0
    20     High   8:01 AM     5.7   5:17 PM     Set  5:42 PM
    20      Low   2:18 PM     0.3
    20     High   8:03 PM     4.6
 
Su  21      Low   2:04 AM     0.2   7:18 AM    Rise  8:48 AM      0
    21     High   8:39 AM     5.7   5:18 PM     Set  6:41 PM
    21      Low   2:55 PM     0.4
    21     High   8:40 PM     4.6
 
M   22      Low   2:42 AM     0.2   7:19 AM    Rise  9:29 AM      2
    22     High   9:14 AM     5.6   5:18 PM     Set  7:42 PM
    22      Low   3:33 PM     0.4
    22     High   9:17 PM     4.6
 
Tu  23      Low   3:21 AM     0.2   7:19 AM    Rise 10:04 AM      6
    23     High   9:50 AM     5.5   5:19 PM     Set  8:44 PM
    23      Low   4:12 PM     0.3
    23     High   9:55 PM     4.6
 
W   24      Low   4:03 AM     0.3   7:20 AM    Rise 10:36 AM      12
    24     High  10:27 AM     5.4   5:19 PM     Set  9:45 PM
    24      Low   4:53 PM     0.3
    24     High  10:38 PM     4.6
 
Th  25      Low   4:50 AM     0.4   7:20 AM    Rise 11:04 AM      19
    25     High  11:08 AM     5.3   5:20 PM     Set 10:46 PM
    25      Low   5:37 PM     0.2
    25     High  11:27 PM     4.8
 
F   26      Low   5:43 AM     0.5   7:20 AM    Rise 11:32 AM      28
    26     High  11:55 AM     5.2   5:21 PM     Set 11:48 PM
    26      Low   6:24 PM     0.2
 
Sa  27     High  12:23 AM     5.0   7:21 AM    Rise 12:00 PM      38
    27      Low   6:44 AM     0.5   5:21 PM
    27     High  12:49 PM     5.0
    27      Low   7:17 PM     0.0
 
Su  28     High   1:23 AM     5.2   7:21 AM     Set 12:52 AM      49
    28      Low   7:51 AM     0.6   5:22 PM    Rise 12:29 PM
    28     High   1:49 PM     4.9
    28      Low   8:13 PM    -0.1
 
M   29     High   2:27 AM     5.5   7:21 AM     Set  1:59 AM      60
    29      Low   9:01 AM     0.5   5:23 PM    Rise  1:03 PM
    29     High   2:53 PM     4.8
    29      Low   9:13 PM    -0.3
 
Tu  30     High   3:32 AM     5.8   7:22 AM     Set  3:10 AM      71
    30      Low  10:08 AM     0.3   5:23 PM    Rise  1:42 PM
    30     High   3:57 PM     4.8
    30      Low  10:13 PM    -0.5
 
W   31     High   4:36 AM     6.1   7:22 AM     Set  4:24 AM      81
    31      Low  11:12 AM     0.0   5:24 PM    Rise  2:30 PM
    31     High   5:00 PM     4.9
    31      Low  11:12 PM    -0.7
 
JANUARY 2026
 
Th   1     High   5:39 AM     6.3   7:22 AM     Set  5:38 AM      89
     1      Low  12:11 PM    -0.2   5:25 PM    Rise  3:28 PM
     1     High   6:02 PM     5.0
 
F    2      Low  12:10 AM    -0.9   7:22 AM     Set  6:47 AM      95
     2     High   6:38 AM     6.5   5:25 PM    Rise  4:35 PM
     2      Low   1:06 PM    -0.4
     2     High   7:00 PM     5.1
 
Sa   3      Low   1:06 AM    -1.1   7:22 AM     Set  7:48 AM      99
     3     High   7:34 AM     6.6   5:26 PM    Rise  5:47 PM
     3      Low   1:58 PM    -0.5
     3     High   7:55 PM     5.2
 
Su   4      Low   1:59 AM    -1.1   7:23 AM     Set  8:38 AM      99
     4     High   8:26 AM     6.5   5:27 PM    Rise  7:00 PM
     4      Low   2:48 PM    -0.5
     4     High   8:48 PM     5.3
 
M    5      Low   2:51 AM    -1.0   7:23 AM     Set  9:19 AM      97
     5     High   9:16 AM     6.3   5:28 PM    Rise  8:11 PM
     5      Low   3:36 PM    -0.5
     5     High   9:40 PM     5.2
 
Tu   6      Low   3:43 AM    -0.7   7:23 AM     Set  9:54 AM      92
     6     High  10:04 AM     6.0   5:29 PM    Rise  9:17 PM
     6      Low   4:23 PM    -0.3
     6     High  10:32 PM     5.2
 
W    7      Low   4:34 AM    -0.4   7:23 AM     Set 10:23 AM      86
     7     High  10:49 AM     5.6   5:29 PM    Rise 10:18 PM
     7      Low   5:09 PM    -0.1
     7     High  11:23 PM     5.1
 
Th   8      Low   5:25 AM     0.0   7:23 AM     Set 10:50 AM      77
     8     High  11:35 AM     5.2   5:30 PM    Rise 11:17 PM
     8      Low   5:54 PM     0.1
 
F    9     High  12:14 AM     5.0   7:23 AM     Set 11:15 AM      68
     9      Low   6:19 AM     0.4   5:31 PM
     9     High  12:20 PM     4.9
     9      Low   6:40 PM     0.3
 
Sa  10     High   1:06 AM     4.9   7:23 AM    Rise 12:15 AM      59
    10      Low   7:15 AM     0.7   5:32 PM     Set 11:41 AM
    10     High   1:08 PM     4.5
    10      Low   7:27 PM     0.4
 
Su  11     High   1:59 AM     4.9   7:23 AM    Rise  1:12 AM      49
    11      Low   8:13 AM     0.8   5:33 PM     Set 12:08 PM
    11     High   1:59 PM     4.3
    11      Low   8:16 PM     0.5
 
M   12     High   2:53 AM     4.9   7:23 AM    Rise  2:09 AM      39
    12      Low   9:10 AM     0.9   5:34 PM     Set 12:39 PM
    12     High   2:52 PM     4.1
    12      Low   9:08 PM     0.6
 
Tu  13     High   3:46 AM     5.0   7:22 AM    Rise  3:07 AM      30
    13      Low  10:06 AM     0.8   5:35 PM     Set  1:13 PM
    13     High   3:46 PM     4.1
    13      Low   9:59 PM     0.5
 
W   14     High   4:38 AM     5.1   7:22 AM    Rise  4:05 AM      22
    14      Low  10:57 AM     0.7   5:36 PM     Set  1:54 PM
    14     High   4:38 PM     4.2
    14      Low  10:49 PM     0.4
 
Th  15     High   5:27 AM     5.2   7:22 AM    Rise  5:02 AM      15
    15      Low  11:45 AM     0.5   5:36 PM     Set  2:40 PM
    15     High   5:28 PM     4.3
    15      Low  11:36 PM     0.2
 
F   16     High   6:14 AM     5.4   7:22 AM    Rise  5:56 AM      9
    16      Low  12:29 PM     0.4   5:37 PM     Set  3:33 PM
    16     High   6:15 PM     4.4
 
Sa  17      Low  12:20 AM     0.1   7:22 AM    Rise  6:45 AM      4
    17     High   6:57 AM     5.5   5:38 PM     Set  4:32 PM
    17      Low   1:10 PM     0.2
    17     High   6:58 PM     4.5
 
Su  18      Low   1:02 AM    -0.1   7:21 AM    Rise  7:28 AM      1
    18     High   7:37 AM     5.6   5:39 PM     Set  5:33 PM
    18      Low   1:49 PM     0.1
    18     High   7:38 PM     4.6
 
M   19      Low   1:43 AM    -0.2   7:21 AM    Rise  8:05 AM      0
    19     High   8:15 AM     5.6   5:40 PM     Set  6:36 PM
    19      Low   2:27 PM     0.0
    19     High   8:16 PM     4.7
 
Tu  20      Low   2:23 AM    -0.2   7:21 AM    Rise  8:39 AM      0
    20     High   8:50 AM     5.6   5:41 PM     Set  7:39 PM
    20      Low   3:04 PM    -0.1
    20     High   8:54 PM     4.8
 
W   21      Low   3:04 AM    -0.2   7:20 AM    Rise  9:08 AM      3
    21     High   9:24 AM     5.5   5:42 PM     Set  8:41 PM
    21      Low   3:42 PM    -0.2
    21     High   9:32 PM     4.9
 
Th  22      Low   3:47 AM    -0.1   7:20 AM    Rise  9:36 AM      8
    22     High  10:00 AM     5.4   5:43 PM     Set  9:43 PM
    22      Low   4:21 PM    -0.3
    22     High  10:14 PM     5.1
 
F   23      Low   4:34 AM     0.0   7:19 AM    Rise 10:04 AM      15
    23     High  10:40 AM     5.2   5:44 PM     Set 10:46 PM
    23      Low   5:03 PM    -0.3
    23     High  11:01 PM     5.2
 
Sa  24      Low   5:26 AM     0.1   7:19 AM    Rise 10:32 AM      23
    24     High  11:26 AM     4.9   5:45 PM     Set 11:50 PM
    24      Low   5:50 PM    -0.2
    24     High  11:55 PM     5.3
 
Su  25      Low   6:25 AM     0.3   7:18 AM    Rise 11:03 AM      33
    25     High  12:19 PM     4.7   5:46 PM
    25      Low   6:43 PM    -0.2
 
M   26     High  12:56 AM     5.3   7:18 AM     Set 12:58 AM      44
    26      Low   7:32 AM     0.5   5:47 PM    Rise 11:39 AM
    26     High   1:21 PM     4.5
    26      Low   7:43 PM    -0.2
 
Tu  27     High   2:03 AM     5.4   7:17 AM     Set  2:09 AM      56
    27      Low   8:43 AM     0.5   5:48 PM    Rise 12:22 PM
    27     High   2:31 PM     4.4
    27      Low   8:49 PM    -0.2
 
W   28     High   3:15 AM     5.5   7:17 AM     Set  3:20 AM      67
    28      Low   9:53 AM     0.4   5:49 PM    Rise  1:14 PM
    28     High   3:42 PM     4.4
    28      Low   9:55 PM    -0.4
 
Th  29     High   4:25 AM     5.7   7:16 AM     Set  4:30 AM      77
    29      Low  10:58 AM     0.1   5:50 PM    Rise  2:15 PM
    29     High   4:50 PM     4.6
    29      Low  10:59 PM    -0.6
 
F   30     High   5:30 AM     5.9   7:16 AM     Set  5:33 AM      86
    30      Low  11:57 AM    -0.1   5:50 PM    Rise  3:24 PM
    30     High   5:53 PM     4.8
    30      Low  11:59 PM    -0.8
 
Sa  31     High   6:28 AM     6.1   7:15 AM     Set  6:26 AM      93
    31      Low  12:50 PM    -0.4   5:51 PM    Rise  4:36 PM
    31     High   6:49 PM     5.1

Weather / Marine Zone Forecast

MARINE WEATHER -  930 AM EST Thu Dec 4 2025
 
 .SYNOPSIS FOR MID ATLC WATERS...High pressure over the waters
will weaken early today. A cold front will move SE over the N and
central portions late today into tonight before stalling across
the S waters later tonight. High pressure will build E over the N
waters Fri into Fri night. The stalled front and developing low
pressure will begin to move back to the N over the S and central
waters Fri into Fri night, then continue moving NE to the E of
the northern waters Sat. Low pressure and a cold front will
develop over the northern and central waters Sat, then quickly
clear E of the waters later Sat night. Meanwhile, just to the S
another low will develop across the far southern waters and pull
a cold front SE across the waters into Sun. Yet another low will
develop over the S waters Sun night and quickly move E and NE
across the waters. Low pressure will move offshore NW of the area
Mon, pulling a trailing cold front across the waters through
Mon. High pressure will build offshore across the region behind
the front Mon night.
 $$
 
 
 
 ANZ835-050230-
Cape Fear to 31N to 1000 FM-
930 AM EST Thu Dec 4 2025
 GALE WARNING
 
TODAY
N winds less than 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft.
 
TONIGHT
N winds less than 10 kt, becoming E to SE. Seas 3 to
4 ft.
 
FRI
S winds 15 to 25 kt, becoming SW 25 to 35 kt. Seas 3 to
5 ft, building to 5 to 9 ft. Scattered showers. Scattered tstms.
 
FRI NIGHT
W to SW winds 30 to 40 kt, becoming W to NW 15 to
25 kt. Seas 6 to 11 ft. Scattered showers and tstms.
 
SAT
N to NW winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming W to NW 10 to 20 kt.
Seas 4 to 7 ft.
 
SAT NIGHT
N to NW winds 10 to 20 kt, diminishing to 5 to
15 kt. Seas 3 to 6 ft.
 
SUN
E to NE winds 5 to 15 kt, becoming E to SE. Seas 3 to
6 ft.
 
SUN NIGHT
NE winds 10 to 20 kt, becoming N 15 to 25 kt. Seas
4 to 8 ft.
 
MON
N winds 20 to 30 kt. Seas 8 to 14 ft.
 
MON NIGHT
N winds 20 to 30 kt. Seas 9 to 15 ft.

Attachments

  • KinderMorgan#4Dock Schedule (1).pdf(6.41 KB )

Disclaimer: For quality assurance purposes please note well that while the information contained in this website is regularly vetted for accuracy it is not intended to replace the local knowledge or expertise pertaining to port conditions of our marine operations personnel.

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