Port Update

Wilmington, NC

September 16, 2025

Notices

WILMINGTON, NC

 

PORT LIMITS/INFORMATION (CONFIRMED 07/24/25)

------------------------

Maximum Depths - (Fresh)

Harbor Entrance - CHANNEL IS 42 FEET FRESH WATER BUT TO BE SAFE WE SAY 41 FEET FRESH WATER DUE TWO SPOTS IN  CHANNEL AT 41 FEET

Main Channel - 41.0 ft POWER LINES ARE NOW 212 FEET, LOCATED ABT 22 NMILES UP RIVER ON WAY TO WILMINGTON HARBOR

Max Air Draft – 212’00 - 22 MILES UP CAPE FEAR RIVER TO WILMINGTON NC HARBOR

 

BERTH LIMITS/INFORMATION:

-------------------------

Current maximum drafts allowed at berths:

 

ADM Terminal 34 ft Max Draft,  675 Max LOA Gold Bond Terminal Max Draft 34 ft Max LOA 600 ft

KINDER MORGAN RIVERROAD MAX DRAFT 38 FEET

ERGON ASPHALT/ AXION/CHEMSERVE WILMINGTON/ Koch / Amoco / Mobil Oil Terminal Max Draft 37 ft Max LOA 700 ft

Apex Terminal Max Draft 37’00 Ft Max ANYTIME LOA 800’ (ANY VESSEL 675 OR MORE MUST CHECK WITH TERMINAL FIRST)

KINDER MORGAN WOODBINE/ MAX DWT 43500 -  MAX LOA 750 FEET – MAX DRAFT 38 FEET IN MAX DRAFT (VESSEL WITH DRAFT OF MORE THAN 34 FEET SHOULD ARRIVE OFF BERTH ONE(1) HR. BEFORE HIGH WATER) - STARBOARD SIDE TO

Chemserve  - 37 ft Max -  LOA 700’ - DISCHARGE RATE FOR UAN SOLUTION –500 LIQUID S/T PER HR 1 EIGHT INCH HOSE  

Colonial Terminal Max Draft 35’00 ft Max LOA 700 ft

COLONIAL (CTI WILMINGTON SOUTH DOCK) – MAX LOA 725’ / MAX BEAM 120’ / MAX DRAFT – 26’00-27’00 CALL EACH TIME

South Wilmington Terminal (Exxon) – Max draft 38’00; Max LOA 800’

Carolina Marine Terminal – Max draft 38’00 ; Max LOA 675’, Airdraft 48’, Max beam 106’ (updated 04/25/25)

PORT DOCK 1 - MAX DRAFT ON ARRIVAL 41 FEET FRESH WATER ON HIGH TIDE MAX DRAFT ON DEPARTURE 40 FEET FRESH WATER ON HIGH TIDE WILMINGTON NORTH CAROLINA MAX PANAMA SIZE VESSEL – 1150’ x 150’

KMI 6TH STREET CLOSED - NO TRANSIT PASSED CAPE FEAR M. BRIDGE - FOR RIVER TRAFFIC LIKE SHIPS ONLY SMALL CRAFTS

 

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PILOT MESSAGE FOR ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE:  "Please have any engine or shaft power limiting devices (EPL’s) overridden or bypassed prior to arrival/departure.  Any vessel that is incapable of attaining posted engine RPM’s because of any engine deficiency or engine power limiting devices that cannot be overridden may be restricted to daylight transit, fair tide, escort assistance or additional pilotage.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VESSELS IN:  NONE

 

VESSELS DUE:  PALANCA RIO, ATB SEAPOWER

==============================================================================================================

FEDERAL, STATE & LOCAL FILING REQUIREMENTS:

 

96 Hours - advance notice of arrival required by USCG

48 Hours - advance receipt of crew list by Immigration for any vessel arriving from a foreign port, or arriving coast wise with detained crew.

24 Hours (minimum) - Foreign cargo must have manifest submitted to Customs & Border Patrol AMS.  Bond must be filed for Foreign flag vessels or U.S. flag arriving with foreign cargo aboard.  24 Hours - advance notice to Pilots

24 Hours - advance fax of crew list and approved visitors required by Terminal.

72 Hours - post port call, the Port Authority requires bill of lading figures for all bulk cargo.

Port Security - All persons doing business within Port Authority property must have security pass from NCSPA.  All persons wanting unescorted access to any vessel must have a valid TWIC.

 

NEW STATE/CBP REQUIREMENT FOR CREW GUARDS AT GANGWAY – ***Effective immediately all arriving vessels into the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina will double the Vessels Gangway watch for the vessels entire stay, 24/7. At no time will the Gangway be left unattended.  At all times there will be a minimum of two Crewmembers at the Security Podium, with an operational radio, and visual of the Gangway.   The piers to be included are any pier within the Cape Fear Region, just not the Port of Wilmington.  Inform the Ship’s Captain that a roving crewmember (s) may be required in addition to doubling the watch, and/or raising the Gangway unless its ships work only.

 

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Current Articles: NONE

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CURRENT EVENTS:   NONE

============================================================================================================================================================================

FUTURE EVENTS:  NONE

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SECURITY LEVEL: MARSEC 1

=================================================================================================================

HURRICANE ALERT LEVEL:  4/SEASONAL -  Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
Issued by the NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
200 PM EDT Tue Sep 16 2025
 
For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America:
 
1. Central Tropical Atlantic (AL92):
Showers and thunderstorms associated with an elongated area of low 
pressure located about midway between the Windward Islands and the 
Cabo Verde Islands have become better organized since yesterday. 
Environmental conditions are conducive for additional development, 
and a tropical depression or storm is likely to form in the next 
day or two as the system moves west-northwestward or northwestward 
at 10 to 15 mph over the central tropical Atlantic.  Additional 
information on this system, including gale warnings, can be found in 
High Seas Forecasts issued by the National Weather Service.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...high...90 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...high...90 percent.
 
2. Eastern Tropical Atlantic:
A tropical wave just offshore of the west coast of Africa is 
producing an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Some 
slow development of this system is possible towards the latter 
part of this week as it moves westward at 15 to 20 mph, moving from 
the eastern to central portion of the tropical Atlantic. 
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...low...20 percent.

Tides / Currents

TIDES:  WILMINGTON, NC
Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon
                     /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                    Visible
 
SEPTEMBER 2025
Tu  16      Low  12:07 AM     0.6   6:56 AM    Rise  1:23 AM      35
    16     High   5:33 AM     4.1   7:17 PM     Set  4:33 PM
    16      Low  12:09 PM     0.3
    16     High   6:16 PM     4.7
 
W   17      Low   1:05 AM     0.5   6:57 AM    Rise  2:31 AM      25
    17     High   6:34 AM     4.2   7:15 PM     Set  5:13 PM
    17      Low   1:10 PM     0.2
    17     High   7:14 PM     4.8
 
Th  18      Low   2:00 AM     0.3   6:57 AM    Rise  3:38 AM      16
    18     High   7:32 AM     4.3   7:14 PM     Set  5:46 PM
    18      Low   2:07 PM     0.2
    18     High   8:07 PM     4.8
 
F   19      Low   2:50 AM     0.2   6:58 AM    Rise  4:42 AM      9
    19     High   8:27 AM     4.5   7:12 PM     Set  6:15 PM
    19      Low   3:00 PM     0.1
    19     High   8:54 PM     4.9
 
Sa  20      Low   3:37 AM     0.1   6:59 AM    Rise  5:44 AM      4
    20     High   9:16 AM     4.7   7:11 PM     Set  6:40 PM
    20      Low   3:50 PM     0.2
    20     High   9:38 PM     4.8
 
Su  21      Low   4:21 AM     0.1   7:00 AM    Rise  6:43 AM      1
    21     High  10:02 AM     4.8   7:10 PM     Set  7:04 PM
    21      Low   4:37 PM     0.2
    21     High  10:19 PM     4.8
 
M   22      Low   5:02 AM     0.2   7:00 AM    Rise  7:41 AM      0
    22     High  10:45 AM     4.8   7:08 PM     Set  7:28 PM
    22      Low   5:21 PM     0.3
    22     High  10:58 PM     4.6
 
Tu  23      Low   5:39 AM     0.3   7:01 AM    Rise  8:39 AM      0
    23     High  11:25 AM     4.8   7:07 PM     Set  7:53 PM
    23      Low   6:03 PM     0.4
    23     High  11:36 PM     4.5
 
W   24      Low   6:13 AM     0.4   7:02 AM    Rise  9:37 AM      3
    24     High  12:04 PM     4.7   7:05 PM     Set  8:20 PM
    24      Low   6:43 PM     0.6
Th  25     High  12:13 AM     4.3   7:02 AM    Rise 10:36 AM      7
    25      Low   6:44 AM     0.5   7:04 PM     Set  8:51 PM
    25     High  12:42 PM     4.6
    25      Low   7:22 PM     0.7
 
F   26     High  12:51 AM     4.1   7:03 AM    Rise 11:35 AM      13
    26      Low   7:11 AM     0.6   7:03 PM     Set  9:27 PM
    26     High   1:20 PM     4.5
    26      Low   8:01 PM     0.8
 
Sa  27     High   1:28 AM     3.9   7:04 AM    Rise 12:34 PM      20
    27      Low   7:39 AM     0.6   7:01 PM     Set 10:08 PM
    27     High   1:58 PM     4.4
    27      Low   8:43 PM     1.0
 
Su  28     High   2:10 AM     3.8   7:05 AM    Rise  1:31 PM      28
    28      Low   8:13 AM     0.7   7:00 PM     Set 10:56 PM
    28     High   2:42 PM     4.3
    28      Low   9:31 PM     1.1
 
M   29     High   2:58 AM     3.7   7:05 AM    Rise  2:24 PM      37
    29      Low   8:59 AM     0.7   6:59 PM     Set 11:51 PM
    29     High   3:36 PM     4.2
    29      Low  10:28 PM     1.1
 
Tu  30     High   3:53 AM     3.7   7:06 AM    Rise  3:11 PM      47
    30      Low   9:59 AM     0.7   6:57 PM
    30     High   4:35 PM     4.3
    30      Low  11:28 PM     1.0
 
OCTOBER 2025
 
W    1     High   4:52 AM     3.8   7:07 AM     Set 12:51 AM      57
     1      Low  11:12 AM     0.7   6:56 PM    Rise  3:52 PM
     1     High   5:34 PM     4.4
 
Th   2      Low  12:25 AM     0.9   7:07 AM     Set  1:56 AM      66
     2     High   5:51 AM     3.9   6:54 PM    Rise  4:29 PM
     2      Low  12:22 PM     0.6
     2     High   6:30 PM     4.5
 
F    3      Low   1:19 AM     0.7   7:08 AM     Set  3:02 AM      76
     3     High   6:48 AM     4.1   6:53 PM    Rise  5:01 PM
     3      Low   1:26 PM     0.4
     3     High   7:23 PM     4.7
 
Sa   4      Low   2:09 AM     0.5   7:09 AM     Set  4:09 AM      84
     4     High   7:42 AM     4.5   6:52 PM    Rise  5:31 PM
     4      Low   2:25 PM     0.3
     4     High   8:13 PM     4.8
 
Su   5      Low   2:57 AM     0.3   7:10 AM     Set  5:17 AM      91
     5     High   8:32 AM     4.8   6:50 PM    Rise  6:00 PM
     5      Low   3:21 PM     0.2
     5     High   8:59 PM     4.9
 
M    6      Low   3:45 AM     0.1   7:10 AM     Set  6:27 AM      97
     6     High   9:20 AM     5.1   6:49 PM    Rise  6:30 PM
     6      Low   4:16 PM     0.1
     6     High   9:44 PM     5.0
 
Tu   7      Low   4:31 AM     0.0   7:11 AM     Set  7:38 AM      99
     7     High  10:06 AM     5.3   6:48 PM    Rise  7:01 PM
     7      Low   5:09 PM     0.1
     7     High  10:29 PM     4.9
 
W    8      Low   5:18 AM    -0.1   7:12 AM     Set  8:52 AM      99
     8     High  10:53 AM     5.4   6:46 PM    Rise  7:38 PM
     8      Low   6:02 PM     0.1
     8     High  11:16 PM     4.8
 
Th   9      Low   6:05 AM    -0.1   7:13 AM     Set 10:08 AM      96
     9     High  11:44 AM     5.4   6:45 PM    Rise  8:20 PM
     9      Low   6:54 PM     0.2
 
F   10     High  12:08 AM     4.6   7:14 AM     Set 11:24 AM      90
    10      Low   6:54 AM     0.0   6:44 PM    Rise  9:10 PM
    10     High  12:40 PM     5.2
    10      Low   7:48 PM     0.4
 
Sa  11     High   1:06 AM     4.4   7:14 AM     Set 12:36 PM      82
    11      Low   7:45 AM     0.1   6:42 PM    Rise 10:09 PM
    11     High   1:45 PM     5.1
    11      Low   8:45 PM     0.5
 
Su  12     High   2:11 AM     4.2   7:15 AM     Set  1:39 PM      72
    12      Low   8:41 AM     0.3   6:41 PM    Rise 11:15 PM
    12     High   2:52 PM     4.9
    12      Low   9:45 PM     0.6
 
M   13     High   3:16 AM     4.1   7:16 AM     Set  2:32 PM      61
    13      Low   9:43 AM     0.4   6:40 PM
    13     High   3:57 PM     4.7
    13      Low  10:46 PM     0.6
 
Tu  14     High   4:19 AM     4.1   7:17 AM    Rise 12:23 AM      50
    14      Low  10:49 AM     0.4   6:39 PM     Set  3:14 PM
    14     High   4:58 PM     4.7
    14      Low  11:45 PM     0.5
 
W   15     High   5:20 AM     4.2   7:18 AM    Rise  1:31 AM      39
    15      Low  11:52 AM     0.4   6:37 PM     Set  3:49 PM
    15     High   5:55 PM     4.6
 
Th  16      Low  12:41 AM     0.4   7:18 AM    Rise  2:36 AM      29
    16     High   6:19 AM     4.3   6:36 PM     Set  4:19 PM
    16      Low  12:51 PM     0.4
    16     High   6:49 PM     4.6
 
F   17      Low   1:32 AM     0.2   7:19 AM    Rise  3:38 AM      20
    17     High   7:14 AM     4.5   6:35 PM     Set  4:45 PM
    17      Low   1:47 PM     0.3
    17     High   7:39 PM     4.6
 
Sa  18      Low   2:20 AM     0.1   7:20 AM    Rise  4:37 AM      13
    18     High   8:06 AM     4.6   6:34 PM     Set  5:09 PM
    18      Low   2:38 PM     0.2
    18     High   8:26 PM     4.6
 
Su  19      Low   3:05 AM     0.1   7:21 AM    Rise  5:34 AM      7
    19     High   8:54 AM     4.8   6:32 PM     Set  5:32 PM
    19      Low   3:27 PM     0.2
    19     High   9:09 PM     4.6
 
M   20      Low   3:47 AM     0.1   7:22 AM    Rise  6:31 AM      2
    20     High   9:37 AM     4.9   6:31 PM     Set  5:57 PM
    20      Low   4:13 PM     0.3
    20     High   9:50 PM     4.5
 
Tu  21      Low   4:27 AM     0.2   7:22 AM    Rise  7:29 AM      0
    21     High  10:18 AM     4.9   6:30 PM     Set  6:23 PM
    21      Low   4:57 PM     0.3
    21     High  10:29 PM     4.4
 
W   22      Low   5:04 AM     0.3   7:23 AM    Rise  8:27 AM      0
    22     High  10:57 AM     4.9   6:29 PM     Set  6:52 PM
    22      Low   5:38 PM     0.4
    22     High  11:06 PM     4.3
 
Th  23      Low   5:37 AM     0.4   7:24 AM    Rise  9:26 AM      1
    23     High  11:33 AM     4.8   6:28 PM     Set  7:26 PM
    23      Low   6:18 PM     0.5
    23     High  11:42 PM     4.1
 
F   24      Low   6:08 AM     0.5   7:25 AM    Rise 10:25 AM      4
    24     High  12:05 PM     4.6   6:27 PM     Set  8:05 PM
    24      Low   6:56 PM     0.7
 
Sa  25     High  12:14 AM     4.0   7:26 AM    Rise 11:23 AM      9
    25      Low   6:36 AM     0.5   6:26 PM     Set  8:51 PM
    25     High  12:33 PM     4.5
    25      Low   7:33 PM     0.8
 
Su  26     High  12:42 AM     3.8   7:27 AM    Rise 12:17 PM      15
    26      Low   7:05 AM     0.6   6:25 PM     Set  9:43 PM
    26     High  12:56 PM     4.4
    26      Low   8:12 PM     0.9
 
M   27     High   1:13 AM     3.7   7:28 AM    Rise  1:05 PM      22
    27      Low   7:41 AM     0.6   6:24 PM     Set 10:41 PM
    27     High   1:34 PM     4.3
    27      Low   8:56 PM     0.9
 
Tu  28     High   1:58 AM     3.7   7:29 AM    Rise  1:48 PM      31
    28      Low   8:27 AM     0.6   6:22 PM     Set 11:42 PM
    28     High   2:29 PM     4.3
    28      Low   9:48 PM     0.9
 
W   29     High   2:57 AM     3.7   7:29 AM    Rise  2:25 PM      40
    29      Low   9:25 AM     0.6   6:21 PM
    29     High   3:35 PM     4.3
    29      Low  10:45 PM     0.8
 
Th  30     High   4:03 AM     3.8   7:30 AM     Set 12:45 AM      50
    30      Low  10:37 AM     0.6   6:20 PM    Rise  2:58 PM
    30     High   4:41 PM     4.4
    30      Low  11:43 PM     0.7
 
F   31     High   5:09 AM     4.0   7:31 AM     Set  1:50 AM      60
    31      Low  11:53 AM     0.6   6:19 PM    Rise  3:27 PM
    31     High   5:43 PM     4.5

Weather / Marine Zone Forecast

MARINE WEATHER: 3NM ESE Buoy Off Carolina Beach MR
Marine Zone Forecast
 
This AfternoonNW winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: NE 3 ft at 9 seconds and NW 2 ft at 4 seconds.
TonightNW winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: NW 2 ft at 3 seconds and E 2 ft at 9 seconds.
WedW winds 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: W 2 ft at 3 seconds and E 2 ft at 8 seconds.
Wed NightW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: SW 2 ft at 3 seconds and E 2 ft at 8 seconds.
ThuNW winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming SW in the afternoon. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: SW 2 ft at 4 seconds and E 2 ft at 8 seconds.
Thu NightSW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: E 2 ft at 8 seconds and S 1 ft at 4 seconds.
FriNW winds 5 kt, becoming E in the afternoon. Seas 2 ft. Wave detail: E 2 ft at 8 seconds and SW 1 ft at 4 seconds.
Fri NightSE winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming E after midnight. Seas 2 ft.
SatNE winds 5 to 10 kt, increasing to 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft.
Sat NightNE winds 15 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft.
SunNE winds 15 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. A chance of showers. A chance of tstms in the afternoon.
Sun NightNE winds 15 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. A chance of tstms in the evening. A chance of showers.
 
winds and seas higher in and near tstms.

Disclaimer: For quality assurance purposes please note well that while the information contained in this website is regularly vetted for accuracy it is not intended to replace the local knowledge or expertise pertaining to port conditions of our marine operations personnel.

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