Governor McCrory Announces New Container Service Partnership with the North Carolina Ports Authority | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory today announces a new service partnership between North Carolina Ports and the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Maersk Line with the addition of the TP10/Amberjack all-water Asia-U.S. East Coast container service.

    "This new agreement will help businesses that depend on international commerce by enhancing our state's connection to vital international trade routes, and allowing larger container vessels to call on the Port of Wilmington," said Governor McCrory.

    The TP10/Amberjack's rotation includes direct calls to the heavily populated ports of Qingdao, Xingang, Ningbo, Shanghai and Busan in Asia, and is the the only service offering direct linkage to the U.S. East Coast into and out of Xingag. This transpacific service traverses the expanded Panama Canal on its way to U.S. East Coast ports, offering the fastest coverage from Asia to Wilmington.

    ​"The ports are a critical component of our state's transportation system, and under Governor McCrory's leadership, we continue to invest in improvements that are allowing our ports to meet increasing shipping demands," Transportation Secretary Nick Tennyson said. "This new partnership is evidence that our investments are paying off and are helping to keep North Carolina at the forefront of today's global economy."

    The enhanced TP10/Amberjack service commenced in October at the Port of Wilmington and consists of ten Panamax 4,300-5,100 TEU ships with the arrival of the SeaLand Lightning.

    "North Carolina has a ripe market that continues to drive the decisions of the world's biggest container companies," said Executive Director Paul J. Cozza. "Our inclusion in this rotation not only improves our visibility in international trade but also ensures the businesses that rely on us will have that much needed connection to Asia."

    Maersk Line already deploys multiple strings into the Port of Wilmington via its Intra-Americas regional ocean carrier SeaLand. The SeaLand Atlantico and revised SAE services provide access to Latin America for ports customers.

    "Our beneficial cargo owners were clamoring for a stable Asia service in this location," said Chief Commercial Officer, Greg Fennell. "The TP10/Amberjack provides us with greater convenience and enhanced transit times for shippers doing business in Asia."

    This announcement follows the recent return of intermodal rail service to the North Carolina Ports, the completion of the turning basin at the Port of Wilmington and the accommodation of the biggest ship in Authority history at 8,500 TEU's. The turning basin project included the removal of an existing bulk pier and dredging along the port's side of the Cape Fear River to expand the turning basin from 1,200 feet to 1,400 feet. This expansion will typically accommodate vessels in the 8,000 to 10,000 TEU range, depending on the vessel's profile.

    With best-in-class efficiencies, North Carolina Ports is able to handle an influx in container volumes while completely avoiding congestion. With 45 net crane moves per hour in each of its post-Panamax cranes, coupled with average truck turn times of 18 minutes for a single move and 30 minutes for a dual move, the Port of Wilmington's high vessel and terminal productivity keeps vessels on schedule and reduces inventory and logistics costs.

    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 to the State of North Carolina. Port activities contribute statewide to 76,000 jobs and $700 million each year in state and local tax revenues.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov