North Carolina has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a new international container terminal in Brunswick County. A new container terminal would support 477,000 new jobs statewide and catapult North Carolina into the ranks of major U.S. ports.
Location
The container terminal will be built on 600 acres of undeveloped land in Brunswick County, about 4 miles from the mouth of the Cape Fear River. The site represents one of the only locations along the East Coast suitable for development of a new deepwater terminal.
Timing
The development of the international terminal is in the initial planning stages. Similar projects typically take 10-20 years to develop. The North Carolina State Ports Authority is pursuing an aggressive timeline — with expectations to open for business much sooner.
Funding
The project is expected to cost $1.7 billion or more. Funding will likely come from many sources, including the N.C. State Ports Authority, state and federal funds, and private financing. Related infrastructure improvements for land and waterside access are estimated at $600 million.
Engineering Design Partner
An international engineering firm, CH2M HILL, has been hired to help manage and design the port. The company has successfully developed major international ports in Seattle, Los Angeles, Houston, New York and Jacksonville, Fla., among others. The company has offices in Raleigh and Charlotte.
Current Status
The N.C. State Ports Authority and CH2M HILL have developed a business plan and preliminary financial models. The Ports Authority also is working closely with the North Carolina Congressional delegation to secure funding for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Reconnaissance Study for channel dredging.
Why Build A New Container Terminal?
International trade is expected to double by 2020, and the market for container shipping is growing even faster. The NC International Terminal will enable North Carolina to take advantage of dramatic growth in international shipping that is creating an increased demand for East Coast port capacity. Major ports along the East Coast are reaching capacity and have limited ability to add new area to existing facilities.
Benefits to North Carolina
The NC International Terminal is forecast to bring nearly one-half million jobs and billions of dollars in tax revenues to the entire State. It will also become a catalyst for capital investment and economic development, creating a more competitive environment for other developments such as retail distribution centers and global manufacturing and assembly plants with even greater employment opportunities and economic benefits.
A Boost to the Military
The NC International Terminal will be located next to the Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point, a significant military operation. It will support North Carolina’s military growth initiatives. The U.S. Department of Defense has expressed support for a new port that could assist with military deployments.
North Carolina’s Existing Ports
North Carolina currently operates ports in Morehead City and Wilmington, plus inland terminals in Charlotte and Greensboro. North Carolina ports have experienced considerable growth and are currently being expanded to meet future demand. The NC International Terminal will complement the state’s existing ports and allow North Carolina to accommodate larger container ships than existing ports can handle.
