Port Update
Wilmington, NC
September 23, 2025
Notices
WILMINGTON, NC
PORT LIMITS/INFORMATION (CONFIRMED 07/24/25)
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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:
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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.”
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VESSELS IN: NONE
VESSELS DUE: ATTACHED AND ATB SEAPOWER, GULF HUYALAT
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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
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FUTURE EVENTS: NONE
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SECURITY LEVEL: MARSEC 1
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HURRICANE ALERT LEVEL: 4/SEASONAL - Hurricane Gabrielle Advisory Number 26 - NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL072025 - 500 AM AST Tue Sep 23 2025
...GABRIELLE MOVING NORTHEASTWARD INTO THE OPEN CENTRAL ATLANTIC......INTERESTS IN THE AZORES SHOULD MONITOR ITS PROGRESS...
SUMMARY OF 500 AM AST...0900 UTC...INFORMATION
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LOCATION...33.2N 59.7W
ABOUT 305 MI...485 KM ENE OF BERMUDA
ABOUT 1855 MI...2985 KM W OF THE AZORES
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...140 MPH...220 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NE OR 45 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...949 MB...28.03 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
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There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Interests in the Azores should monitor the progress of Gabrielle.
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1. Central and Western Tropical Atlantic (AL93): Shower and thunderstorm activity associated with a tropical wave located a little less than 1000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles continues to show signs of organization. Environmental conditions are forecast to be favorable for development over the next several days, and a tropical depression is likely to form by the latter half of this week while the system moves west-northwestward to
northwestward into the western tropical Atlantic.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...50 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...high...90 percent.
2. East of the Leeward Islands (AL94): A tropical wave is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms, and gusty winds across much of the Windward and Leeward Islands. This wave is expected to move west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph, spreading heavy rainfall and gusty winds into Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands tonight and Wednesday. The system is then expected to slow down and turn northwestward when it
reaches the southwestern Atlantic near the Bahamas late this week, and a tropical depression could form when the disturbance is in that region. Interests in the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Bahamas should monitor the progress of this
system.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...low...20 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...medium...60 percent.
Tides / Currents
TIDES: WILMINGTON, NC
Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
/Low Time Feet Sunset Visible
SEPTEMBER 2025
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: 2NM NNE 5 Mile Boxcars MR
Marine Zone Forecast
TodayE winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave detail: E 4 ft at 13 seconds and E 2 ft at 8 seconds. Patchy fog early this morning with vsby 1 to 3 nm.
TonightSE winds 5 kt, becoming S after midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave detail: E 4 ft at 12 seconds and NE 1 ft at 7 seconds. Patchy fog after midnight with vsby 1 to 3 nm.
WedNW winds 5 kt, becoming SE in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft. Wave detail: E 4 ft at 11 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning with vsby 1 nm or less.
Wed NightS winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: E 3 ft at 10 seconds.
ThuS winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: E 3 ft at 9 seconds and S 2 ft at 3 seconds. A slight chance of showers and tstms.
Thu NightS winds 10 to 15 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: S 2 ft at 4 seconds and E 2 ft at 8 seconds. A chance of showers and tstms after midnight.
FriSW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Showers likely with a chance of tstms.
Fri NightSW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Showers likely with a chance of tstms.
SatN winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming SE in the afternoon. Seas 2 ft. Showers likely. A chance of tstms in the afternoon.
Sat NightS winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming E after midnight. Seas 2 ft. A chance of tstms in the evening. A chance of showers.
winds and seas higher in and near tstms.
