SIMIC

This is a threat to the rival Port of Savannah, which only has a navigation channel of 13.4 metres, giving Charleston an advantage in attracting cargo in bigger ships.

Five postpanamax cranes worked the ship at Charleston's Wando Welch Terminal, moving 2,758 containers on and off the ship.

With four of the five dredging contracts completed, Charleston now has a 15.8-metre channel to the Wando Welch and Leatherman terminals, which now removes tidal restrictions at the port for fully laden postpanamaxers.

Said SC Ports president and CEO Barbara Melvin: "Ocean carriers and cargo owners can now diversify their gateways. We can efficiently handle cargo for exporters and importers throughout the Southeast."

The Charleston Harbour Deepening Project will conclude this fall, five years after it began to deepen the harbour from its previous depth of 14 metres. SC Ports has since opened gates seven days a week for truckers, prioritised vessels with balanced imports and exports, and deploying thousands of chassis through SC Ports' new SMART Pool.