The North Carolina State Ports Authority is an authority set up by the state of North Carolina to develop and operate seaports in Wilmington and Morehead City as well as an inland port located in Charlotte. It is the mission of the North Carolina State Ports Authority to enhance the economy of the State of North Carolina. The Ports Authority will be managed like a business, focused on the requirements of its customers. North Carolina's Ports are recognized for self-sustaining operations, environmental stewardship, highly efficient workforce, satisfied customers, and modern, well-maintained facilities and equipment. According to a 2018 economic contribution study, North Carolina Ports contributes $15.4 billion annually to the state's economy. This contribution is constituted by goods moving through the ports, with $12.9 billion attributed to the Port of Wilmington and $2.5 billion attributed to the Port of Morehead City. The ports, directly and indirectly, support more than 87,700 jobs across North Carolina which makes up a substantial portion of the state's economy. Additionally, North Carolina Ports contributes $687 million in local and state sales, property, corporate and personal taxes annually.
Facilities
Port of Wilmington The Port of Wilmington offers terminal facilities serving container, bulk, breakbulk and ro-ro operations. It offers a deep 42-foot navigational channel, nine berths, four post-Panamax and three neo-Panamax container cranes. Modern transit and warehouse facilities and the latest cargo management technology produce a broad platform for supporting international trade. Port of Morehead City The Port of Morehead City is a breakbulk and bulk facility located four miles from the Atlantic Ocean. The port is equipped with nine berths and multiple gantry cranes. Storage offerings include a dry-bulk facility with 220,000-ton capacity warehouse and a 177,000-square-foot warehouse for housing commodities like rubber, paper, steel and lumber. All together there is more than one million square feet of storage.
The value of deepwater ports was recognized by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1945 with the creation of the North Carolina State Ports Authority. Its job: to create two competitive ports through the sale of revenue bonds. Its ultimate mission: to create a better atmosphere for the development of North Carolina industry. The General Assembly in 1949 approved the issue of $7.5 million in bonds for construction and improvement of seaports to promote trade throughout the state. Terminals equipped to handle oceangoing vessels were completed at Wilmington and Morehead City in 1952.
