Last week, South Carolina’s logistics assets were on full display as the biggest ship to ever call on a U.S. East Coast port – the CMA CGM Theodore Roosevelt – docked at the Port of Charleston. During its brief, 40-hour stay at the Wando Welch Terminal, more than 3,000 containers were moved on and off of the vessel, which is capable of carrying 14,500 twenty-foot containers. Moving forward, visits by ships of this magnitude will continue to become more commonplace for port facilities around the world.
Fortunately for Team South Carolina, our port and state leaders began planning for these larger vessels years ago. That’s why we’re starting to see significant progress with the all-important Charleston Harbor deepening project. Last week, the first contract – a $47 million deal to begin work on the entrance channel – was awarded. By the time the entire project is completed, the Port of Charleston will boast a depth of 52 feet, becoming the deepest shipping channel on the East Coast and offering unfettered access to colossal ships, such as the Roosevelt, for years to come.