North Carolina’s Port of Wilmington is maintaining enviable efficiency while handling record cargo flows through its enhanced facilities. Paul J. Cozza, executive director of the North Carolina State Ports Authority, told AJOT in an interview: “As we continue to grow, and we are growing at substantial speed, maintaining productivity and the customer service element really is key for us, because that is what we view as our competitive advantage.”
A new master terminal plan encompasses a reorganization of the Wilmington container facility, including repaving and a change in gate structure to 13 gates from the current 7, with implementation of new gate and terminal operating systems, all aimed at doubling annual throughput capability to at least 1 million 20-foot-equivalent container units.
All in all, the ports’ aggressive expansion initiative encompasses $200 million in capital investments, highlighted by last spring’s arrival of two neo-Panamax cranes, with a third such ship-to-shore unit due next spring, to be put in place along nearly 2,600 feet of continuous berth to facilitate simultaneous accommodation of two neo-Panamax containerships. Further infrastructure improvements are in the works.