Charleston is no longer a well-kept secret. In 2023, it was ranked as the number one city in the US by Travel + Leisure, as it has been every year since 2013. If you've wandered amongst the mossy oaks or gotten lost in the picturesque alleys of our fair city, you recognize the essence of Charleston that continues to attract residents and visitors.
When people speak of Charleston, it's often of restaurants, waterways, and charm. When they gush about the "it" factors of the city, the Port of Charleston is not the topic of conversation, but we think it should be.
As of December 5th, 2022, Charleston Harbor became the deepest harbor on the East Coast. This decade-long project took the harbor from 45 to 52 feet deep. The Charleston Port can now accommodate the world's largest fully loaded containers at any tide, any time of day.
Improvements to port infrastructure don’t stop with the harbor deepening. Currently underway at the former Charleston Navy Complex, is the construction of the Navy Base Intermodal Facility. This 118-acre project is scheduled for completion in July 2025. The rail-served intermodal yard will provide near-dock rail to the Port of Charleston. A dedicated road will be used to move goods between the port and the yard. From here, containers are loaded and moved over rail throughout the Southeast.
With the ability to double-stack containers, an intermodal train can transport the equivalent of 280 truckloads. Not only will this new interconnected system provide efficiency in the transfer and shipment of goods, but it will convert freight from the highway, reducing transportation costs and environmental impact.
Charleston is not new news, but the port improvement is. It leaves us positioned to not only maximize import/export ability but to move goods with ease throughout the country. When we list the reasons we chose Charleston, some are very personal and some are all business. Our goal is to provide our partners with the ability to sell and deliver their products efficiently. That's why we're here, and we would love to have you join us in this special place we call home.
