Manson and NOAA Cut Ribbon on Pier Romeo

On July 8, 2026, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Manson, and its partners celebrated the opening of the new Charleston Port Facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in North Charleston, South Carolina. Attendees included members of Congress, NOAA leadership and officials, representatives from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), local government officials, project partners, and stakeholders involved in the development of the facility.

Pier Romeo Project Team celebrates the successful completion of NOAA's new Charleston Port Facility during the ribbon-cutting ceremony in North Charleston, South Carolina. Pictured left to right: Ilias Sgourides, QC Manager; Alan Langstone, SSHO; Jeff Arviso, SVP & Chief Engineer; Malaree Scott, Project Engineer; Mark Openshaw, VP & Gulf & East Coast Civil Area Manager; Hayden Cochran, Field Engineer; John Roques, SVP & Gulf & East Coast Regional Manager; Ryan Gielow, Project Manager; and Samantha Scott, Project Administrator.

Manson Vice President and Gulf & East Coast Civil Area Manager Mark Openshaw (far right) receives congratulations from U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Paul Dabbar (far left) and the Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Dr. Neil Jacobs (center).

Manson delivered the $59.8 million design-build recapitalization project, replacing the aging Pier Romeo facility with modern, resilient waterfront infrastructure. Delivered on schedule and under budget, the project included demolition of the existing pier and construction of a new 62-foot by 360-foot floating pier, warehouse, state-of-the-art electrical and switchgear building, seawall, storm-surge-resilient curb, utility improvements, and other support facilities for NOAA operations. The floating pier is one of the largest and most technologically advanced of its kind in the U.S.

The facility will serve as the home port for NOAA Ships RONALD H. BROWN and NANCY FOSTER providing critical support for fisheries management, ocean and climate research, nautical charting, weather monitoring, and other scientific missions throughout the Atlantic region. Designed to be resilient to storm surge, sea-level rise, and seismic events, the new infrastructure positions NOAA to continue its research and operational efforts for decades to come.

Learn more about the Pier Romeo project in the upcoming Spring/Summer issue of the Manson Navigator.