Final Federal Reimbursement Secures Completion of Charleston Harbor Deepening

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham joined South Carolina Ports Authority President and CEO Barbara Melvin and Lt. Col. Todd Mainwaring of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District to announce the final federal reimbursement for the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project. The Army Corps included $21.28 million in its Fiscal Year 2025 Work Plan to fully repay the state for its upfront investment.

The $580 million initiative has created the deepest harbor on the East Coast at 52 feet, allowing the Port of Charleston to handle the world’s largest container ships and strengthening South Carolina’s role in global trade.

“This is great news for the Port of Charleston and the people of South Carolina,” said Senator Graham. “As a state, federal and local team, we devised a creative solution to ensure that SC Ports had the deepest harbor on the East Coast. The deepening of the Charleston Harbor is about jobs—both today and in the future. With this announcement from the Army Corps of Engineers, we have fulfilled that promise.”

“We were able to get this project across the finish line and get reimbursed expeditiously, thanks to Sen. Graham’s leadership and over a decade of tenacious hard work,” said Barbara Melvin.

“Completing the largest project in our District’s history, on time and within budget, is a testament to the strength of our partnership with the South Carolina Ports Authority, Senator Graham, and other state and federal leaders,” added Lt. Col. Todd Mainwaring.

The Charleston Harbor Deepening Project is expected to generate jobs and sustain the Port of Charleston’s role as a multi-billion-dollar economic engine for South Carolina and the nation.

Photo courtesy of Sen. Lindsey Graham/Facebook