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 | | The Sally Ann C docked at the Port of Morehead City to load phosphate. Photo by Paul Rickman |
Increased ship activity at the Port of Morehead City means that key cargoes – including phosphate and metal products – are showing growth for this period over the same time last year. Overall, general cargo at the Port, excluding bulk products like phosphate, show a 4.5% increase. Phosphate, used for fertilizers, show volumes are up 16% over the same time last year. Metal products, such as rail for Norfolk Southern, are up 139%. Forest products, primarily fencing used for lumber, reflect a 2% increase. Shipments of natural rubber are picking up; however, the year-to-date volumes lag behind the previous years. 
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| The BIRCH ARROW, a Gearbulk vessel, docked at the Port of Morehead City to discharge lumber. A total of 6599 units of board, which equates to 3136.09 short tons were offloaded March 31. The agent was Inchcape Shipping Services and the stevedore was SSA Cooper.
Photo by Greg Rice | The M/V GLOBAL ACE docked at the Port of Morehead City March 25 to discharge rail for Norfolk Southern. A total of 2760 pieces of rail stock which equates to 4,543.366 metric tons was directly loaded from vessel onto railcars headed for Norfolk Southern's fabrication plant in Atlanta, GA. The rail was imported from Japan. Inchcape Shipping Services is the agent and SSA Cooper is the stevedore handling this project.
Photo by Greg Rice |
 | | Carl J. Stewart, Jr., NC State Ports Authority Board of Directors Chairman |
NC State Ports Authority Board of Directors Chairman Carl J. Stewart, Jr., will be inducted into the NC Transportation Hall of Fame.
Stewart is being honored for his career-long commitment to transportation improvements in North Carolina, according to NC Transportation Hall of Fame executive director, David Robinson.
“From his days in the legislature when he was instrumental in supporting transportation initiatives proposed by various governors and their transportation secretaries; his service on the NC Board of Transportation; his creative leadership of the state ports during a time of massive expansion in global trading, and as a member of the Global TransPark Foundation, Carl Stewart has demonstrated a career-long interest in improving transportation in North Carolina,” Robinson said.
“I am deeply touched by this recognition from the State’s transportation leaders,” Stewart said. “I consider my years of service to the State in the General Assembly and various boards and now as chairman of the Ports Authority Board to be both a pleasure and a privilege.”
Gov. Mike Easley appointed Carl J. Stewart, Jr., former Speaker of the N.C. House, as the Chairman of the North Carolina State Ports Authority Board of Directors in 2004. A resident of Gastonia, he served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1967 through 1980 representing the 38th District Stewart was elected Speaker in 1977 and again in 1979. Currently, he practices law in Gastonia.
Under Stewart’s leadership the NC State Ports Authority has engaged in significant expansion programs at the Ports of Wilmington and Morehead City, including the proposed North Carolina International Terminal in Brunswick County. The Ports have attained considerable milestones under Stewart’s guidance. Some of those successes include:
Wilmington’s container terminal continues the multi-million dollar expansion which began in 2004 with the completion of the 42-foot Cape Fear River navigation channel to the Port, and includes four new all electric post-Panamax container cranes, refurbishments to the terminal’s container berths, new container handling machines and a new terminal operating system. Container volumes also have doubled in that time due in part to two new container shipping companies beginning service to Wilmington in 2009.
At the Port of Morehead City, a new 177,000 square foot warehouse serves the Port’s rubber and forest products customers, a new six-acre open paved storage area supports military shipments through the Port, and improvements to the rail system facilitate quick cargo movement.
The North Carolina International Terminal is proposed for 600 acres of vacant industrial property on the Cape Fear River near Southport purchased by the Ports Authority in 2006. The new container terminal will bring jobs, investment and economic growth to the region and the State and become North Carolina’s premier gateway to world markets. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers currently is engaged in a preliminary study on the required navigation channel for the new port, and the NCDOT is conducting a transportation feasibility study on highway and rail connectors.
Stewart served on the North Carolina Board of Transportation from 1981 until 1983. He was a member of the Economic Development Board and the North Carolina Board of Technology from 1999-2001. Stewart was also Chairman of the Board of Directors for Preservation North Carolina during this time. He has served as Chairman of the Gastonia-West Committee since 1996. Stewart received undergraduate and law degrees from Duke University.
“I think this year's NC Transportation Hall of Fame ceremony will be the best-attended to date. Inductees represent transportation engineering, railroading, highways, trucking, highway patrol, engineering design, aviation, ports and logistics,” Robinson said. For more information, visit www.ncthf.org
 | | Jason Smith, left, and Lance Kenworthy present plaque to master of M/V Star Kinn. Photo by Susan N. Pridgen |
On April 21, the 685-foot M/V Star Kinn, owned and operated by Grieg Star Shipping AS of Bergen, Norway, docked at the Port of Wilmington on her maiden voyage.
A commemorative plaque was presented to Capt. Olalia, master of the vessel, by Market Support Specialist Jason Smith and Account Executive Lance Kenworthy, both in the Business and Economic Development department. It is a maritime tradition to present a plaque to the Captain on its maiden voyage and in commemoration of the Star Kinn’s arrival.
“This vessel’s arrival is special because this is the first cargo carried by this new Grieg Star Shipping vessel,” said Bill Fox, Director of Breakbulk and Bulk Sales and Marketing. “Presenting this plaque recognizes the importance of the break bulk side of the port. We are honored to present the Master with a plaque to memorialize their maiden voyage," Fox said.
"The arrival of the M/V Star Kinn renews the continued support of the cargo shipper, POSCO America, Inc. POSCO is very pleased with the NC State Ports Authority’s personnel, in the safe and damage free handling of their cargo,” Fox said. “The vessel call also supports other business at the Port of Wilmington, providing excellent service for loading wood pulp for International Paper at the berth from the same warehouse that will receive the steel coils carried by the M/V Star Kinn."
Steel, totaling 2,870.771 metric tons, and 340 coils were discharged and 14,144 bales of wood pulp were loaded onto vessel. The steel was loaded by POSCO Steel of Pohang, South Korea on February 10. POSCO is the world's second largest steel maker by market value and Asia’s most profitable steelmaker and the wood pulp was delivered from International Paper's Riegelwood, NC mill.
Wilmington Shipping was the agent and SSA Cooper was the stevedore for the move.
 | Eagar, Miles and Bennett welcome Capt. Anthony Popiel, second from left, and U.S.C.G. Cmdr. J.P. Nadeau to the Port. This was Capt. Popiel's first visit. Photo by Susan N. Pridgen |
CEO Tom Eagar welcomed new Commander for the Coast Guard Sector North Carolina, US Coast Guard Capt. Anthony Popiel for his first visit to the NC State Ports Authority’s Wilmington terminal.on April 8. After a short briefing with Eagar, Capt. Popiel was given a Port tour by Chief Operating Officer Jeff Miles and Director of Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Affairs Bill Bennett.
In February, Popiel was transferred as the Sector North Carolina Commander, headquartered in Fort Macon, and replaced Capt. June Ryan, who served as Commander for approximately 2 years.
As Captain of the Port, he must make sure all ocean vessels are in compliance with the laws of commercial shipping. The Coast Guard screens vessels from the security standpoint, working with U.S. Customs and the Border Patrol.
In 1987, Popiel graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Management. Popeil also earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration from George Mason University in 1998 in Fairfax, VA. Popiel is married and has two sons, ages 15 and 18. His hometown is Lorain, Ohio, on the shores of Lake Erie.
Capt. Popiel plans to visit the Port of Morehead City within the next few weeks.
 | Tugboat pushes the USS BATAAN closer to dock at Port of Morehead City. Photo by Rex Edwards |
Nearly 1,000 marines and sailors from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) returned to the Port of Morehead City April 1 onboard the amphibious assault ship, USS BATAAN. They were returning from a 10-week humanitarian aid mission in Haiti, which was struck by a catastrophic earthquake on January 12. Media reports, estimate that 200,000 people have died as a result of the earthquake.
During the month of January, there were a total of three military vessels, the USS BATAAN along with the USS FORT MCHENRY and the USS CARTER HALL, deployed from the Port of Morehead City to Haiti. On board were marines and sailors, trucks, earth moving equipment and water purification systems. The military provided security and essential support and coordination with relief agencies, the Haitian government and the U.S. Department of State. Elements of the unit have been returning to the United States over the past several weeks, and Thursday’s the April 1 arrival of the USS BATAAN marks the last elements of the unit to return to Camp LeJeune.
According to Lt. Jennifer Bouchard of the Navy Port Control Office in Morehead City, the Marines returned to their duty station to reunite with their families and the ship returned to Norfolk, VA for their homecoming.
Ports Authority construction inspector David Leggett’s daughter, Amanda, is in Chile serving an 18-month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. David said Amanda was in Concepción, which is closest to the epicenter where the 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit on February 27.  | | Amanda Leggett, second from left, along with other missionaries help with cleanup after earthquake hit Chile. |
“I learned through emails that Amanda was safe, but as a parent, you still want to hear your child’s voice,” Leggett said. “Nearly eight days later, I was able to speak to Amanda and she was safe and doing okay.”
Amanda told her parents, David and Lisa, of her experience. She said she was awakened early Saturday morning, February 27 by screams. Because the apartment in Constitucion in which she had been staying was in a state of disrepair, she and the other missionaries recently had moved to Concepcion.
Amanda learned that this was one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded in that area and that it had torn apart houses, bridges and highways in central Chile and sent a tsunami racing halfway around the world.  |  | | Destruction from Chile’s earthquake. Above photos by Amanda Leggett |
“We shoveled mud out of homes, sorted and organized donated clothes for distribution, and delivered water and food to the locals,” Amanda said. “Many houses and apartments have recently been reopened.”
“All the training in the world could never prepare you for something like this,” Amanda said. “I am so thankful to be alive and serving a mission is a wonderful experience. I had no idea I would be a part of a great opportunity to help a whole country.”
Amanda will be returning home this Christmas. She told her parents that she is going to miss the people in Chile and said she is so grateful for the blessing that she has received there. She said all the missionaries are working as hard as they can to help serve the people in any way possible.
"I am applying for a passport to be prepared to travel to an area like this to offer assistance," said David. "I traveled with a group to the Gulf Coast area after Katrina to work and assist in the clean up efforts and it was one of the best things I have ever done. I know that Amanda's service to the local people in their hour of need is very rewarding for her."
 | | The YM LOS ANGELES is one of the vessels sailing weekly for CKYH, the Green Alliance's AW3 transpacific service. The alliance also provides weekly transpacific service on its AW1 loop. Photo by Susan N. Pridgen |
The ocean carrier alliance providing two weekly services between the Port of Wilmington and the transpacific is changing its name, according to an article in The Journal of Commerce.
At their annual summit in April, the CKYH Alliance - Cosco, “K” Line, Yang Ming, and Hanjin Shipping - the carriers’ four CEOs announced they are changing its name to “CKYH, the Green Alliance” to reflect its emphasis on environmental protection.
In an announcement in Zhenjiang, China, the lines said they will aim at taking full advantage of regional transshipment hubs, building up extensive feeder networks, extending cooperation to the North-South trades and newly emerging markets, and widening the scope of cooperation to other sections of the transport chain by optimizing the alliance’s resources, including terminals, chassis, intermodal facilities and equipment.
The alliance said its CEOs had also decided at the summit that they will take further measures such as slow-steaming to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions as part of their environmental mandate.
The four carriers jointly operate 26 east-west services as part of the alliance on routes between ports in Asia and North America, Europe and the Mediterranean. Of these services, 12 are on the route from North Asia to the West Coast of North America, five to the East Coast of North America, five from North Asia to West and North Europe, three to the Mediterranean and one on the trans-Atlantic between North Europe and the East Coast of North America.
 | The barge "MOBRO 2503," escorted by the tug "YBOR CITY" called at the Port of Morehead City in April to wait out high winds before continuing its sea passage. The barge was laden with components constructed in Palatka, Florida to be used to complete a drawbridge under construction in Somerset, Massachusetts. This was the barge's fourth voyage ferrying project steel between the manufacturer and the construction site. Both tug and barge are owned and operated by Mobro Marine of Ybor City, Florida. Photo by Charles Leeuwenburg/W. C. Leeuwenburg, Inc. |
 Congratulations to the Bulk Handling Department in Morehead City for 2,967 days with no lost time accidents. As of April 1, 2010, this equates to eight years. According to Bulk Handling Supervisor Paul Rickman, this is an excellent record, considering the employees average 20 to 30 hours overtime every pay period. This is remarkable that we can report this since there has been a reduction in work force from 36 employees in 2001 to 12 employees in 2009 with various staffing levels in the years between 2001 and 2009.
"When I was hired in 1987, this department had 75 employees," said Rickman. "This is a great accomplishment since we are shipping more tonnage now than we did before the work force reduction excluding a couple of years around 1998." This department has worked nearly 160 ships from 2007 to present.
 | Pictured here at the Morehead City Chamber legislative luncheon on April 16 are (left to right) NC State Ports Authority Board of Directors members Derryl Garner, Mayor of Newport, and Laura Wilson, NC State Senator Jean Preston, Joan Pulley, chair of the Chamber’s public and government affairs committee, and NC House Representative Pat McElraft. Photo by Karen Fox |
According to the Chamber, about 80 Chamber members and guests attended Morehead City Chamber of Commerce annual legislative luncheon at the History Place in Morehead City, at which time the Chamber’s 2010 Legislative Agenda was shared with local state legislators.
Joan Pulley, Chair of the Chamber’s Public & Government Affairs Committee, touched on two of the Chamber’s top priorities – transportation and tourism.
“We always start our list with the US 70 corridor,” Pulley said. “We need and deserve a limited access highway between here and Raleigh. It’s critical toward bringing more business for our port and bringing more tourists to our beaches.
The NC State Ports Authority sponsored the luncheon.
A two day workshop on export sales, finance, and logistics solutions will take place May 13 and 14 in Wilmington. Learn how to compete globally!
REGISTRATION fee is $49.00. Lunch and an NC Ports tour included Day ONE, Thursday, 5/13, will be taught on the Campus of Cape Fear Community College, Health Sciences/Learning Resources Building, Room L 107, 415 N. 2nd St., Wilmington, NC 28401 - Class from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Day TWO, Friday, 5/14, will be taught at the NC State Ports Authority, Materials Management Building, 2508 Burnett Boulevard. Wilmington, NC - Class from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
In this economy you cannot leave any stone unturned. Act now to learn the export basics or brush up on key export topics.
At this event, you will: Learn the basics of the letter of credit and other international methods of payment Learn about Pricing Strategies and how to offer financing to your foreign buyers to increase sales Learn about the role of the freight forwarder Learn how export credit insurance can be used to decrease risk, reduce transaction cost and increase sales Hear from experts from the banking community, U.S. Department of Commerce, U. S. Small Business Administration, NC Department of Commerce Learn about government services and how to use the services to increase sales
Who Should Attend?
Companies that are currently exporting but need guidance to further expand overseas markets and sales.
Companies that are new to exporting and need the tools to begin and avoid costly mistakes.
How to register?
Visit: www.cfcc.edu/sbc Please follow registration instructions on web site. Confirmation, payment instructions, & CFCC parking pass will be emailed in return.
For more information, please contact DouglasTarble, 910-362-7469 or email dtarble@cfcc.edu
 | Representing the Appalachian Regional Commission 'Network Appalachia' team were (left to right) Dr. Michael Smith, PhD, Associate Professor of Global Management and Strategy, Western Carolina University, Lloyd Thompson, Associate Vice President, Moffatt & Nichol, J. Scott Hercik, transportation and trade advisor, Applachian Regional Commission. Attending the meeting for the NC State Ports Authority were Glenn Carlson, CCO, Steve Jackson, senior manager port operations, Jeff Strader, CFO, Stephanie Ayers, director of Planning, and Peter Klaus, vice president, liner sales. Photo by Karen Fox |
Exploring how to develop better connections for North Carolina's Appalachian region to international markets brought representatives from the 'Network Appalachia' study team to the Port of Wilmington on April 7. Commissioned by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the Network Appalachia study presents a comprehensive transporation strategy to ensure the domestic and international market access necessary for Appalachia to successfully compete in the new glogal economy.
Scott Hercik, ARC transportation and trade advisor, said the Commission recognizes North Carolina's Ports importance to the future growth, direction and goals of their economic development work. He said one of their major goals in the transportation network is to establish inland ports in the Appalachian Region to connect to coastal ports that serve as gateways to world markets. Dr. Smith is also conducting a State study on creating inland ports in Western North Carolina.
"A primary focus for serving inland facilities from the North Carolina Ports would be intermodal train service to transport containers between the Port of Wilmington the western areas of the State," said Ports Authority CCO Glenn Carlson. "This new partnership between North Carolina Ports and the Appalachian Regional Commission is an exciting opportunity to establish that service."
Hercik and Dr. Smith invited the Ports Authority to the Appalachian region to talk with businesses and economic developers about the benefits that using the North Carolina Ports can provide.
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and local government. Established by an act of Congress in 1965, ARC is composed of the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a federal co-chair, who is appointed by the president. Local participation is provided through multi-county local development districts.
 | | Eighth graders from Cove Creek School. |  |  | | Eighth graders from Hardin Park School. Photos by Susan N. Pridgen |
Two schools from the western part of the State traveled nearly 350 miles to get a firsthand look at the Port of Wilmington.
On April 1, eighth graders from Cove Creek and Hardin Park Schools came from the mountains to the sea to get a glimpse of the Port. Gregg Galliher, buyer in materials management, conducted the tours for both schools.
“The students and teachers really enjoyed the port tour,” said Mary Smalling, principal of Hardin Park. “They learned a lot about how important the port is to our state and how many people it really takes to get those big screen televisions from China to Wal-Mart," said Smalling. "The crane was their favorite part but most of them did not think they could work it for fear of heights.” Nearly 70 8th graders from Brown Summit Middle School of Guilford County toured the Port of Morehead City April 20.
Port Police Lt. Robert Jones and IT Support Specialist Kevin Gaskill conducted the tour and gave the students a first-hand look at how the Port operates.
“The students learned about the importance of Ports in North Carolina and the role they play in the local economy,” Jones said.
Many of the students were interested in port security, cargo operations, and vessel operations and asked many questions on those topics. The students were able to see lumber trucks being loaded by the Cargo Department and maintenance being performed on cranes by the Crane Department.
“I think the tour went well. The group that I had was very inquisitive,” Jones concluded.  | | Students from Brown Summit Middle School visit Port of Morehead City. Photo by Kevin Gaskill |
“I thought the tour went well and there were more questions than I expected,” said Gaskill. “Even though it was just at layberth, the MAERSK TEXAS was really impressive. The group had toured the PCS plant on Monday so that added to their interest as I explained the connection to our Bulk Handling Facility,” Gaskill said.
“Nearly everyone who visits the Port, especially our local people, are really impressed with what they see in the entire operation. I often here, ‘I never realized all this was going on here’”.
“I think we are generating a good amount of community goodwill and understanding with the tours,” Gaskill concluded.
 | Peter Klaus |
Maximizing the use of the ports in Wilmington and Morehead City and executing expansion plans to provide greater capabilities for North Carolina’s business and industry in the global market are strategic initiatives for the NC State Ports Authority. In order to facilitate the success of these strategic initiatives, the organization relies on high performing communications and business and economic development teams. The Authority is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter F. Klaus Vice President, Liner Sales and Shannon Moody, Director of Communications.
Klaus will manage all aspects of liner carrier sales for the Ports Authority. He will be responsible for working with current container shipping companies to expand the volume of business through the Port of Wilmington, and to recruit new container shipping companies to Wilmington.
“Growth and expansion of the container shipping business at the Port of Wilmington support job retention and creation for thousands of North Carolina workers whose businesses depend on low cost, quick access to world markets,” Ports Authority Chief Commercial Officer Glenn Carlson Carlson said.
With over 20 years experience in the maritime industry, Klaus’ career has included various management positions with Maersk Line, IBM and the Intermodal Association of North America. His work in logistics and transportation management includes sales and marketing, strategy development and managing and developing information services for the transportation industry.
 | Shannon Moody |
Moody will work closely with the members of the Ports Authority team to develop and implement communications strategies to achieve the strategic goals of the organization, including community outreach and development, message dissemination, media relations, writing and editing.
“Shannon’s communications skills and experience are essential to the development and execution of the Ports Authority integrated communications plan, especially as we expand our statewide outreach programs. In order for North Carolina’s Ports to be recognized as essential to the economic vitality of the State, Shannon’s key responsibilities will include media relations, online and social media communications, and stakeholder advocacy programs,” said Karen Fox, Vice President for Communications.
With over 15 years experience in the communications and government relations fields, Moody’s career has included various management positions within Virginia state government, non-profits, and most recently within the transportation industry. Moody worked several years for Virginia Governor George Allen before beginning her 11-year tenure as Communications Manager with Transfield Services, a leading global provider of operations, maintenance, and asset and project management services headquartered in Sydney, Australia.
Moody holds a BA in Communications and Journalism from Elon University. Klaus holds an MBA in Business Administration from Adelphi University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from the State University of New York-Albany.
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