Port of Wilmington shows recovery

Container moves have increased at Port of Wilmington by 28 per cent since the arrival of new shipping lines, signalling early recovery, says North Carolina State Ports Authority CEO Thomas Eager.
In his State of Ports address, Mr Eager said overall general cargo volume dropped from weakening construction and the auto trade, according to an ABC TV news report.
"We can offer up to a US$200 savings per container compared to nearby ports and provide faster service," he said of a market set to double by 2018, now reaching figures of 700,000-TEU of import and export taken on an arc from Myrtle Beach to Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Raleigh.
The combined tonnage across Wilmington and Morehead City ports reached 3.91 million this year from 3.63 million last year.
Mr Eager also predicted highs of 130,700 TEU and increased revenues of $36.77 million from $34.42 million, but he admits this is below its 2008 revenue levels of $39.59 million.
"We want to bring in two additional liner services over the next few years. If we can do that we'll be very well situated," he said.
The Wilmington Star News reported that Mr Eager said the Port of Wilmington showed recovery during the first half of the year despite expert predictions that a rebound would have to wait until late next year.
During the six month reporting period container traffic was down a mere one per cent year on year although in the fiscal year it was down four per cent from 2008 figures.

(Source: Transport Weekly)