"The ability to grow will be governed by the achievement of untidally restricted deepwater harbours and supporting inland infrastructure to reach markets efficiently," said South Carolina Ports Authority CEO Jim Newsome.
Giving his annual State-of-the-Port Address, Mr Newsome said: "Quite simply, in the era of bunker fuel at US$700 per ton, lines are not going to face delays to get in and out of harbours to handle cargo, and will gravitate to ports that lesson this risk."
To support the expected surge of postpanamax traffic in coming years, a post-45-foot deepening project is underway at the Port of Charleston. Progress on that project over the past year has been "truly remarkable", said Mr Newsome.
He praised the South Carolina Legislature, which "has acted resolutely to put the entire funding of $300 million aside as a clear message that we cannot wait to have our harbour deepened".