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Port of Charleston

USCRW🇺🇸USA

Port Location

About Port of Charleston

This seaport in South Carolina handles containers, motor vehicles, and general cargo across four public terminals. Additional private facilities manage bulk commodities such as petroleum and coal.

Background
The Port of Charleston is a seaport located in South Carolina in the Southeastern United States. The port's facilities span two municipalities— North Charleston, and Mount Pleasant—with four public terminals owned and operated by the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA). These facilities handle containers, motor vehicles and other rolling stock, non-containerized goods and project cargo] operation. Additional facilities in the port are privately owned and operated, handling bulk commodities like petroleum, coal and steel.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
13ft
Tidal Range
2ft
Elevation
1660m

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Yes
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Fixed, Mobile, Floating
Drydock
S
Repair Code
A

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
8500 →
GeoNames ID
5777698 →
Wikidata
Q7231107 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Official Site
scspa.com →

Identification

UN/LOCODE
USCRW
Country
🇺🇸USA
Time Zone
UTC-7
Feature Type
CNL (Canal)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
River natural
Shelter
Good

Region

Subdivision
US-WV
Latitude
32.7833°
Longitude
-79.9167°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Charleston?+
The approach to Charleston is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is St. Philip'S Church Lighthouse at 0.7 NM to the WSW. Other aids include Fort Sumter Range Rear (1.3 NM SE), Charleston (4 NM ESE), Morris Island (5.5 NM SSE), Georgetown County Lighthouse (30.8 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Charleston?+
The Port of Charleston is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This strategic position influences vessel traffic density, anchorage availability, and port scheduling.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Charleston?+
You can track vessels near Charleston (USCRW) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for USCRW on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Charleston?+
The Port of Charleston operates in the UTC-7 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.