Project to deepen Charleston's harbour gains green light from US Congress

Time:2016-12-19 Browse:113 Author:RISINGSUN
THE United States Senate has passed the Water Infrastructure Improvement for the Nation Act (WIIN), which includes Congressional authorisation for the 52-foot Charleston harbour deepening project.

Commenting on the move, SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome said: "With this important step by Congress, we now turn our attention to inclusion in the President`s FY2018 budget, relative to the construction phase of the harbour deepening project.

"By the end of the decade, we will achieve 52 feet of depth and Charleston will be the deepest harbour on the east coast. This depth advantage will add significant capability in the fastest growing port region in the US, the southeast. This is vitally important for significant long-term volume growth and the deployment of large container ships."

The WIIN bill authorises the Army Corps of Engineers chief`s report for the construction phase of the Charleston harbour deepening project, ensuring the project can remain on schedule, a statement from port authorities said.