NC State Ports Authority

It's National Intern Day!    From shadowing police officers to working directly with our port-user community on terminal, our summer interns receive valuable hands-on experience.    And we want to celebrate National Intern Day by introducing you to our amazing 2024 class of summer interns.    Chloe Bland, a forensic science major at Western Carolina University, is interning with our police department. Garrett Bullard, who is studying business administration and supply chain management at UNCW, is working with our containers team. Joseph Chung, also studying business administration and supply chain management at UNCW, is working with our general cargo team. Crew Detamore, an economics major at UNC-Chapel Hill, is interning with our planning and real estate department. And Nick Gallo, a computer science major at NC State University, is working with our IT team.    We are so grateful for the enthusiasm and dedication they bring to North Carolina Ports every single day!

Last week, state and federal officials traveled to Wilmington to officially announce a $242 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help replace the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. These funds, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will not only improve access to our coastal communities for daily commuters and visitors alike, but this grant will support the continued growth of our port. “The Port of Wilmington is an economic engine that moves hundreds of thousands of containers and over three million short tons of general cargo every year. And every week, several thousand truck drivers utilize the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge to move those goods to and from the Port,” said Susan Rabon, Chair, North Carolina State Ports Authority. “This bridge is a crucial piece of our region’s supply chain.” You can read more here: https://lnkd.in/epSdrav5

The new CBP Area Port Director for North Carolina, based in Charlotte, visited the Port of Wilmington this month to get a tour of our facilities and processes. Port Director Miguel A. Garza, Jr. and his dedicated team play an essential role in protecting and supporting trade across North Carolina’s Ports of Entry, and we are very grateful for their partnership. 

Yesterday, state and federal representatives announced the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge will be replaced with the help of a $242 million grant funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

North Carolina Ports continues to expand its roll-on/roll-off capabilities, which has led to an increase in finished vehicle imports. The Morehead City team and its partners handled several new ro/ro programs in FY24, including the import of finished vehicles like coach buses and commercial vans. “The Port of Morehead City has traditionally handled military vehicles and wheeled heavy machinery,” said Hans Bean, Chief Commercial Officer, North Carolina Ports. “These new rolling programs showcase the Port of Morehead City’s capabilities and strong commitment to service that is also applicable to the automotive segment.”

On this National Logistics Day, we would like to extend a huge thank you to the team members, partners, and stakeholders who play a vital role in delivering efficient, congestion-free service built around customer needs. Learn more about our cargo handling capabilities and get in touch with our team here: https://lnkd.in/djj_xPXq

Senior Project Manager Barry Addertion is retiring this week following 18 years of dedicated service at North Carolina Ports. After graduating from NC State University, Barry joined the United States Airforce, achieving his goal of becoming a Pilot. He served in the NC Air National Guard for over 20 years, retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Barry’s public service also includes 10 years of engineering with the NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources. He started at NC Ports in May of 2006 as a Civil Engineer. Barry's fingerprints are all over the ports of Wilmington and Morehead City and the Charlotte Inland Port. He has led and executed projects that have been integral to the North Carolina Ports growth story, including the South Gate Container Complex and Refrigerated Container Yard in Wilmington and the Central Hardstand in Morehead City. Throughout his tenure, Barry has also become the in-house drone pilot, capturing everything from progress pictures to unique cargo to sweeping views of our ports hard at work. In addition to photos from Barry's recognition during this week’s Board meeting, we also included some of our favorite drone shots that he has taken through the years. Thank you, Barry, for your commitment and dedication to NC Ports and the state of North Carolina!

Grocery retailers and distributors have identified the Port of Wilmington as an optimal gateway that provides direct and efficient access into a market with growing demand. This has led to an increase of import produce, both with established active programs and new trial programs. By utilizing NC Ports, instead of other gateways that are farther away, customers save time, money, and distance to consumers. "This gateway can deliver key advantages while reducing over-the-road distance, time, cost, and risk," said Hans Bean, Chief Commercial Officer, North Carolina Ports. "For these reasons, we anticipate more import produce trials in the very near future as new and existing customers continue to unlock the Port of Wilmington’s value.” Read more here:

In observance of National Maritime Day, The Propeller Club, Port of Wilmington, NC organized a Merchant Marine Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial downtown. This ceremony recognizes the American Merchant Mariners who have served in peace and in war since 1775. As a nation, we owe every Merchant Mariner a debt of gratitude for their work to support global trade, and for their sacrifice to ensure our security and freedom. NC Ports Executive Director Brian Clark, who is also a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, honored the U.S. Merchant Marine in his remarks at today's ceremony. He also recognized the hardworking men and women at NC Ports and across the maritime industry in North Carolina.

We want to hear from you! USACE Wilmington will host a series of public engagements during the Wilmington Harbor 403 scoping comment period. The meetings offer an opportunity for participants to engage with members of our team and learn about the conditionally authorized project to deepen the harbor. Click the link below to see our latest press release with details on the upcoming meetings. https://lnkd.in/ecTKPzCk