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North Carolina Ports (NC Ports), Wilmington and Morehead City, mobilized a total of 4.4 million short tons of bulk and breakbulk cargo, ending fiscal year 2026 in line with budgetary forecasts and slightly above the previous year's performance.
By 2031, NC Ports aims to become the primary gateway for bulk materials supplying North Carolina, including agricultural products, forestry products, and construction materials. This involves attracting and driving third-party investment in bulk storage facilities that will ultimately contribute to regional growth.
This strategy in action is evidenced by the comprehensive bulk solutions alliance announced during fiscal year 2026 with Silvi Cement, a division of Silvi Materials. The company is building a new bulk import terminal at the Port of Morehead City that will feature two 100,000-ton domes for Type I/II low-alkali cement and Grade 120 slag, as well as 24/7 truck loading capacity and direct rail loading.
Silvi's investment represents a $70 million commitment in Morehead City over the next few years, in addition to over $100 million in inland rail terminal infrastructure investments across North Carolina to support these operations.
Containers and Imports
While overall container business closed the year below budget, the Port of Wilmington's refrigerated cargo trade remained a strong point.
Refrigerated cargo import volumes through the Port of Wilmington were boosted by growth in imports of tropical fruits, Peruvian blueberries, and melons. Furthermore, new on-terminal treatment capacity for regulated products, located right next to the port's docks, enabled a successful Chilean grape season, demonstrating a scalable model that can be expanded in future seasons to accommodate a wider range of perishable products.
Regarding refrigerated exports, proteins continued to be the main refrigerated product transiting through North Carolina ports, benefiting from the increased connectivity offered by Maersk's Gemini network and Crowley's regional expertise. Potato volumes also grew year-over-year, thanks to Independent Container Line's reliable transatlantic connections.
