Port of Charleston welcomes largest vessel to date

South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) has welcomed the eco-friendly containership 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 French shipping giant CMA CGM’s MARCO POLO, which first called on Wando Welch in May 2021 and has a capacity of 16,022 TEUs.

Barbara Melvin, SC Ports’ President and CEO, stated: “SC Ports’ strategic infrastructure investments allow us to continue welcoming the largest ships calling the U.S. East Coast. The OOCL Iris calling on the Port of Charleston is evidence of our commitment to providing highly productive port service to our customers.”

SC Ports, reportedly, has the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet (approximately 15.8 meters), allowing mega containerships to access the Port of Charleston at any time, regardless of tides.

A year-long critical infrastructure project along the terminal’s toe wall is said to be nearing completion. It is understood that it will allow the berth to maintain a 54-foot (approximately 16.4 meters) depth, further supporting the 52-foot harbor depth.

SC Ports revealed it is investing nearly $3 billion to modernize port infrastructure, expand cargo capacity and build rail infrastructure to speed goods to market.

Melvin said: “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 customers’ supply chains. 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.”

To note, the OOCL Iris, which was unveiled in December 2024, will join Hong Kong-based container shipping company Orient Overseas Container Line’s (OOCL’s) Trans-Pacific East Coast Express (ECX1) service, serving as another connection between Asia and the U.S. East Coast.

As disclosed, Charleston will be the last U.S. East Coast port in the rotation, allowing exporters to take full advantage of the port’s deep draft with fully loaded vessels and no tidal restrictions.