PORT OF WILMINGTON COMPLETES TURNING BASIN EXPANSION; ORION AWARDED CONTRACT FOR BASIN WORK

The North Carolina Ports has completed the expansion project of its turning basin at the Port of Wilmington. The expansion will allow for the accommodation of post-Panamax vessels the first of which arrived on August 7 at the Port of Wilmington.

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 1200 feet to 1400 feet. This expansion will typically accommodate vessels in the 8000 to 10000 TEU range depending on the vessel’s profile.

North Carolina Ports Executive Director Paul J. Cozza said the expansion was completed in a little more than six months.

At the end of August the North Carolina Ports Authority awarded Orion Marine Group a $28 million contract for upgrades to Berth 8 at the Port of Wilmington. Orion said the 18-month project will begin in the third quarter of 2016.