The shipping platform

Location: The port of Charleston is located in the centre of the US Eastern Seaboard in the State of South Carolina. General overview: Charleston is the largest natural deep water harbour on the Atlantic Coast, S of Hampton Roads, and is readily accessible by day or night in clear weather, and an excellent harbour of refuge. The harbour is naturally protected by barrier islands on either side of its wide entrance channel. The port has 5 terminals and deals extensively with container traffic, general cargo and cruise passengers. Traffic figures: Approx 1,700 vessels and 1,300,000TEU handled annually. Load line zone: Summer. Max size: Max draught 13.1m (24hrs) to 14.6m (2hrs), 9,000TEU container vessels, max airdraught at Lower Cooper Bridge 56.6m MHW.