Port of Wilmington, N.C. gains new Asia-U.S. East Coast service

The new Asia-U.S. East Coast EC2 container service will begin calling the Port of Wilmington, N.C. in May.    The Port of Wilmington, N.C. will be called by “THE Alliance” operated all-water EC2 container service between Asia and the U.S. East Coast, North Carolina Ports said.
   THE Alliance is a vessel sharing agreement that will commence in April and includes former G6 members Hapag-Lloyd, NYK, and MOL; and former CKYHE Alliance carriers Yang Ming and “K” Line.
   The EC2 will begin calling the Port of Wilmington in May, sailing on a weekly frequency from China and Korea through the Panama Canal to the U.S. East Coast.
   Vessels on the loop will average 8,500 TEUs.
   The EC2 could attract more agricultural exports through the Port of Wilmington Cold Storage (PWCS) facility, particularly in regards to pork and poultry supply, according to the port authority.
   Overall, the port authority is investing over $120 million into its infrastructure over the next few years, between new cranes, the turning basin expansion project, various berth improvements, and the expansion of the container yard.
   In addition to the EC2, the port’s efforts have also resulted in the 2M Alliance adding a call to the port with the TA2/NEUATL2 loop.