The North Carolina State Ports Authority reported record revenue of $79.3
million in the 2023 fiscal year, a 16.7% increase from a year earlier.
Executive Director Brian Clark cited a record year for general cargo and strong increases in intermodal business.
Container volume through the Port of Willmington increased by 7% as the NC Ports added two new vessel operators — 2M Emerald/TP16/ZSA Services and Ellerman City Liners. The additions led to increased global connectivity with 12 new relay port and new direct port calls to six locations: Singapore; Hamburg, Germany; Bilboa, Spain; Rotterdam, Netherlands; and the Chinese ports of Xiamen and Yantian.
“We continue to identify solutions for our port users and tailor our growth to meet customer needs and long-term plans,” Hans Bean, chief commercial officer, said in a release.
NC Ports posted 12% year-over-year growth for general cargo volume, marking a record
year for tonnage and revenue. The ports of Wilmington and Morehead City moved almost 4.6 million short tons of bulk and break bulk cargo.
Intermodal volume increased 74% and now make up 9% of total container volume. The Midwest Express rail service and Queen City Express rail service to Charlotte averaged more than 550 “twenty-foot equivalent units,” or TEUs. per week.
The Port of Wilmington is expanding a refrigerated-container yard that will open this fall. Plans call for breaking ground on a new intermodal facility later this year. The ports are funded by appropriations from the state and revenues from its cargo and grant programs.