Charleston Eyes Federal Funds for Dredging

South Carolina’s seaports in Charleston and Georgetown stand to gain more than $12 million in additional funding for studies of channel deepening as a result of actions this week in the U.S. House of Representatives this week.

The South Carolina State Ports Authority said Thursday that Charleston’s channels may be dredged deeper thanks to funding for the resumption of a reconnaissance study on future deepening.

The Port of Charleston is currently 47 feet deep at mean low water in the entrance channel and 45 feet inside the harbor.

“The new project would take Charleston beyond 45 feet, opening the port to all classes of the world’s most modern vessels,” said David J. Posek, chairman of the South Carolina State Ports Authority. “We are ready for the Panama Canal expansion and beyond.”

Although Charleston’s channel is already deep enough to handle some post-Panamax ships, a deeper channel would enable it to accommodate the even-larger ships that will be able to transit the Panama Canal after its third set of locks is completed in 2014.

After final approval by the U.S. House and Senate, and passage of the Energy & Water appropriations bill, Charleston Harbor will receive nearly $1.8 million for dredged material disposal facilities and an additional $10.7 million for maintenance dredging work. The action on the projects came in the House Energy & Water Appropriations subcommittee.

Another $1 million will go to needed maintenance dredging in Georgetown’s 27-foot authorized channel.

“There are several new cargo accounts eyeing Georgetown, and adequate draft will help close those deals and bring these new projects, jobs and investment to our state,” said Posek. “We are committed to enhancing Georgetown’s position and are aggressively pursuing new business for the port.”

Charleston is also trying to hang on to what’s left of Maersk Line’s business in the wake of its decision in January to end calls at the port when its contract expires at the end of 2010.

The Maersk announcement was precipitated by the refusal of International Longshoremen's Association locals to allow the company to operate from a "common-use" area staffed by non-union state port employees.

The SCSPA is still in negotiations with the Danish carrier about preserving its remaining business.

Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com.