The ship, which boasts a capacity of 18,000 TEUs, surpasses the previous record set by the French shipping giant CMA CGM’s Marco Polo, which first docked at Wando Welch in May 2021 with a capacity of 16,022 TEUs.
Barbara Melvin, President and CEO of SC Ports, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “SC Ports’ strategic infrastructure investments enable us to continue accommodating the largest ships on the U.S. East Coast. The arrival of the OOCL Iris at the Port of Charleston underscores our dedication to providing highly efficient and productive services to our customers.”
Notably, SC Ports is home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast, with a depth of 52 feet (approximately 15.8 meters). This allows mega container ships to navigate the Port of Charleston without being affected by tides, ensuring year-round accessibility.
A critical infrastructure project underway at the terminal’s toe wall, set to complete soon, will deepen the berth to 54 feet (approximately 16.4 meters), further enhancing the port’s capacity to handle larger vessels.
As part of a broader modernization effort, SC Ports has committed to investing nearly $3 billion to upgrade port infrastructure, expand cargo capacity, and build rail infrastructure to expedite goods movement.
Melvin highlighted Charleston’s competitive advantages, noting, “The combination of Charleston’s deep harbor, expanded turning basins, taller cranes, and highly efficient terminals provides fluidity to our customers’ supply chains. SC Ports offers expedited logistics in the thriving Southeast market, making it a significant advantage for ocean carriers and cargo owners utilizing the Charleston port.”
The OOCL Iris, which was launched in December 2024, will serve as part of Orient Overseas Container Line’s (OOCL) Trans-Pacific East Coast Express (ECX1) service, connecting Asia with the U.S. East Coast. As the last U.S. East Coast port in the service’s rotation, Charleston will offer exporters the full benefit of its deep draft and unrestricted tidal access, ensuring fully loaded vessels can be accommodated year-round.