Congressmen talk harbor improvements at Port of Wilmington
Wilmington, N.C. – The North Carolina State Ports Authority welcomed Congressman Bill Shuster (PA-9) and Congressman David Rouzer (NC-7) to the Port of Wilmington on Friday where they discussed the importance of the Wilmington Harbor and the Port of Wilmington’s impact on the state’s economy.
“This is an exciting time for the Authority,” Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Cozza said. “We’re on pace to have the best year in Authority history and we have to continue the positive momentum into fiscal year 2016 by preparing our ports for the future.”
The North Carolina State Ports Authority is currently conducting a feasibility study of the Wilmington Harbor, focusing on upgrades to the Cape Fear River to ensure the river meets current industry demands.
“This feasibility study is critical to our competitive future,” Cozza said. “Customers rely on North Carolina’s Ports as a congestion-free alternative. We need to ensure that we continue to meet our customer demands.”
North Carolina’s Ports are a few of the most market accessible ports on the U.S. East Coast. Within 1,000 miles of North Carolina’s borders are more than 170 million U.S. and Canadian consumers, more than 65 of the country’s top 100 metropolitan areas and nearly 60 percent of total U.S. retail sales.
Exporters and importers continue to recognize the inland logistics advantage of North Carolina’s Ports and its operational efficiencies. A lack of congestion, faster gate turn times and increased crane moves per hour have led to significant container volume increases year-over-year, making the Port of Wilmington one of the fastest growing ports on the U.S. East Coast.
North Carolina's Ports in Wilmington and Morehead City, plus inland terminals in Charlotte and in Greensboro, link the state's consumers, businesses and industry to world markets, and serve as magnets to attract new business and industry while receiving no direct taxpayer subsidy. Port activities contribute statewide to 76,700 jobs and $707 million each year in state and local tax revenues.