Port of Wilmington, N.C. container volumes surge 7.7%

Thanks to $100 million investment in infrastructure improvements, the Port of Wilmington, N.C. will be able to handle 10,000-TEU vessels by this summer, the North Carolina State Ports Authority said in a statement.    The Port of Wilmington, N.C. handled 24,039 TEUs in February 2016, a 7.7 percent increase from the prior February, according to the North Carolina State Ports Authority.
   In fiscal year 2015, which ended at the end of June 2015, the port handled a total of 297,612 TEUs, an 18 percent year-over-year increase.
   “Last year we broke the authority record in terms of TEUs moved due to a number of new services, diversions and our lack of congestion,” North Carolina State Ports Authority CEO Paul J. Cozza said.
   Total tonnage at the Port of Wilmington in February (container, breakbulk and bulk) reached 389,197 tons, a 5.3 percent year-over-year decline.
   The port authority is moving forward with a $100 million investment in infrastructure improvements, which includes new cranes, an upgraded berth and a wider turning basin. The Port of Wilmington will be equipped to handle 10,000-TEU vessels by this summer, North Carolina State Ports Authority said.
   On the general cargo side, at the Port of Morehead City, total tonnage, consisting of breakbulk and bulk cargo, rose 19.2 percent year-over-year since the start of fiscal year 2016 to 1.2 million tons.