Wilmington, N.C. Port Posted Mixed Results In Cargo Volume

Wilmington, NC (AHN) - The North Carolina State Port Authority said that cargo volume at the Port of Wilmington experienced mixed results in the fiscal year ended June 30.

Conventional cargo tonnage for bulk and breakbulk slumped to nearly 9 percent from last year or more than 200,000 tons as of June 30. These types of cargo are mostly lumber, cement, fertilizer and other products handled at Wilmington.

Port officials attributed the drop to a weakening U.S. economy and housing market and an underperforming U.S. dollar.

Containerized cargo volumes, on the other hand, increased by nearly 20 percent -- a milestone in the terminal wherein it serviced more than 100,000 containers at 112,615 20 foot equivalent units. Over the same period last year, the port handled 94,103 TEUs.

The box boost was mainly from the CKYH Alliance, which began a second container service to Wilmington last year.

The breakbulk segment was badly hit, down 22 percent, from 897,777 tons last year to this fiscal year's 701,994 tons tonnage. The cargo are mostly lumber and wood pulp, among other commodities.

Imported lumber was 30 percent below target, while imported cement was 40 percent below budget, which represents a decline in housing starts and other construction.