Last fiscal year, the port experienced a 29 percent increase in container traffic.
The port authority also said breakbulk volumes in Wilmington and the Port of Morehead City grew 27 percent versus the same period in 2010. Commodities that have rebounded after the economic downturn include wood pulp, metal products, and rubber imports.
'We anticipate continued growth in the coming months as new business comes online in Morehead City. Additional dry fertilizer imports are supporting a strong January performance, and we recently kicked off woodchip operations with regular exporting to begin in June,' Chief Operating Officer Glenn Carlson said.