SC Ports has welcomed the OOCL Iris to the Wando Welch Terminal, setting a new record for the largest vessel to call the Port of Charleston at 16,828 TEUs.
The record was previously held by CMA CGM’s MARCO POLO, which first called on Wando Welch in May 2021 and has a capacity of 16,022 TEUs.
SC Ports has the deepest harbour on the US East Coast at 52 feet. This critical depth allows mega containerships to access the Port of Charleston at any time, regardless of tides, enabling customers to quickly drop off and pick up cargo.
The vessel arrives as SC Ports nears completion of a year-long critical infrastructure project along the terminal’s toe wall. The project will allow the berth to maintain a 54-foot depth, further supporting the 52-foot harbour depth.
SC Ports is investing nearly $3 billion in modernising port infrastructure, expanding cargo capacity, and building rail infrastructure to speed goods to market.
The OOCL Iris vessel, which was unveiled in December 2024, will join OOCL’s Trans-Pacific East Coast Express (ECX1) service, serving as another connection between Asia and the US East Coast.
This is an attractive service, with Asia serving as SC Ports’ biggest trade lane, accounting for 50 per cent of port volume. SC Ports offers 11 weekly services to and from Asia.
Charleston will be the last US East Coast port in the rotation, allowing exporters to take full advantage of Charleston’s deep draft with fully loaded vessels and no tidal restrictions.
“SC Ports’ strategic infrastructure investments allow us to continue welcoming the largest ships calling the U.S. East Coast,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said.
“The Iris calling on the Port of Charleston is evidence of our commitment to providing highly productive port service to our customers.”
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“Charleston’s harbor depth and widened turning basins, taller ship-to-shore cranes and highly productive terminals and maritime community all work together to provide fluidity to our customer’s supply chains,” Melvin added.
“SC Ports offers expedited logistics in the booming Southeast market. This is a significant competitive advantage for the ocean carriers and cargo owners calling on the Charleston port market.”
Last October, SC Ports offered an update on the Leatherman terminal development, which is expected to increase its throughput to 10 million TEUs.
