N.C. ports authority extends Wilmington gate hours

The North Carolina State Ports Authority is extending its hours at the Port of Wilmington from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., effective Feb. 23.    The North Carolina State Ports Authority is extending its gate hours at the Port of Wilmington from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. — remaining open through the lunch hour — to increase productivity and keep pace with its volume growth. 
   The extended gate hours will commence Monday, Feb. 23. 
   “Our lack of congestion, efficient turn times and unrivaled customer service has led us to a nearly 20 percent container volume increase in fiscal year 2015 over this same period last year,” said Paul J. Cozza, the port authority’s chief executive officer, in a statement from the authority. 
   “One of our goals is to stay congestion free. This move will help us achieve that and will also assist in maintaining our high levels of productivity,” added Jeff Miles, chief operations officer.
   The port authority also announced on Friday that it has appointed Lance Kenworthy to director of bulk and breakbulk for the North Carolina ports of Wilmington and Morehead City. Kenworthy has been with the port authority for nine years.