Port of Charleston safety zone lifted after container threat

The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(MIAMI) — The unified command determined there is no existing threat to the Port of Charleston at approximately 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

At approximately 8 p.m. Wednesday, authorities were made aware of a potential threat in a container aboard the vessel Maersk Memphis in the Port of Charleston.

An unified command was established to oversee the coordinated response.

The unified command identified four containers aboard Maersk Memphis where the threat was posed. The containers were scanned and cleared.

The safety zone around Charleston's Wando Terminal was lifted and the terminal has resumed normal operations.

Responding agencies included the Coast Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Mount Pleasant Fire Department, Charleston County, South Carolina Ports Authority, National Guard Civil Support Team Unit 43, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Coast Guard Investigative Service.

The original reporting source of the threat in port of Charleston has been detained by authorities for further questioning.

By Professional Mariner Staff