Port Update
Wilmington, NC
January 21, 2026
Notices
WILMINGTON, NC
PORT LIMITS/INFORMATION (CONFIRMED 10/22/25)
------------------------
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’
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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: VELA
VESSELS DUE: STOLT NORLAND
=========================================================================================================================
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Articles: NONE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CURRENT EVENTS: NONE
============================================================================================================================================================================
FUTURE EVENTS: NONE
=================================================================================================================
SECURITY LEVEL: MARSEC 1
=================================================================================================================
HURRICANE ALERT: 5/OUT OF SEASON
=================================================================================================================
RIGHT WHALE SEASON – SPEED RESTRICTIONS NOW THROUGH APRIL 30, 2026
=================================================================================================================
Tides / Currents
TIDES: WILMINGTON, NC
Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
/Low Time Feet Sunset Visible
JANUARY 2026
W 21 Low 5:17 AM 0.0 7:15 AM Rise 9:02 AM 3
21 High 10:46 AM 4.5 5:31 PM Set 8:31 PM
21 Low 5:52 PM 0.2
21 High 10:51 PM 4.2
Th 22 Low 6:00 AM 0.1 7:15 AM Rise 9:29 AM 8
22 High 11:19 AM 4.5 5:32 PM Set 9:34 PM
22 Low 6:29 PM 0.2
22 High 11:33 PM 4.3
F 23 Low 6:47 AM 0.2 7:14 AM Rise 9:55 AM 15
23 High 12:03 PM 4.4 5:33 PM Set 10:38 PM
23 Low 7:08 PM 0.1
Sa 24 High 12:23 AM 4.4 7:14 AM Rise 10:23 AM 23
24 Low 7:41 AM 0.3 5:34 PM Set 11:44 PM
24 High 12:56 PM 4.2
24 Low 7:53 PM 0.1
Su 25 High 1:22 AM 4.4 7:13 AM Rise 10:53 AM 33
25 Low 8:44 AM 0.5 5:35 PM
25 High 1:57 PM 4.1
25 Low 8:48 PM 0.2
M 26 High 2:30 AM 4.4 7:13 AM Set 12:53 AM 44
26 Low 9:55 AM 0.5 5:36 PM Rise 11:28 AM
26 High 3:05 PM 3.9
26 Low 9:54 PM 0.2
Tu 27 High 3:44 AM 4.4 7:12 AM Set 2:04 AM 56
27 Low 11:05 AM 0.5 5:37 PM Rise 12:10 PM
27 High 4:16 PM 3.9
27 Low 11:04 PM 0.1
W 28 High 4:59 AM 4.5 7:12 AM Set 3:17 AM 67
28 Low 12:10 PM 0.4 5:38 PM Rise 1:01 PM
28 High 5:26 PM 3.9
Th 29 Low 12:10 AM 0.0 7:11 AM Set 4:27 AM 77
29 High 6:10 AM 4.6 5:39 PM Rise 2:02 PM
29 Low 1:11 PM 0.3
29 High 6:31 PM 4.0
F 30 Low 1:13 AM -0.1 7:10 AM Set 5:29 AM 86
30 High 7:15 AM 4.7 5:40 PM Rise 3:11 PM
30 Low 2:08 PM 0.1
30 High 7:32 PM 4.2
Sa 31 Low 2:12 AM -0.2 7:10 AM Set 6:22 AM 93
31 High 8:13 AM 4.9 5:41 PM Rise 4:23 PM
31 Low 3:02 PM 0.0
31 High 8:29 PM 4.3
FEBRUARY
Su 1 Low 3:07 AM -0.3 7:09 AM Set 7:06 AM 98
1 High 9:05 AM 4.9 5:42 PM Rise 5:36 PM
1 Low 3:52 PM -0.1
1 High 9:22 PM 4.5
M 2 Low 3:59 AM -0.4 7:08 AM Set 7:42 AM 99
2 High 9:54 AM 4.9 5:43 PM Rise 6:45 PM
2 Low 4:39 PM -0.2
2 High 10:12 PM 4.6
Tu 3 Low 4:49 AM -0.3 7:07 AM Set 8:13 AM 99
3 High 10:40 AM 4.8 5:44 PM Rise 7:51 PM
3 Low 5:23 PM -0.2
3 High 11:01 PM 4.6
W 4 Low 5:36 AM -0.2 7:07 AM Set 8:40 AM 96
4 High 11:24 AM 4.7 5:45 PM Rise 8:54 PM
4 Low 6:05 PM -0.1
4 High 11:50 PM 4.6
Th 5 Low 6:21 AM 0.0 7:06 AM Set 9:06 AM 90
5 High 12:08 PM 4.5 5:46 PM Rise 9:54 PM
5 Low 6:45 PM 0.0
F 6 High 12:37 AM 4.5 7:05 AM Set 9:31 AM 83
6 Low 7:06 AM 0.2 5:47 PM Rise 10:53 PM
6 High 12:53 PM 4.3
6 Low 7:24 PM 0.2
Sa 7 High 1:25 AM 4.4 7:04 AM Set 9:57 AM 75
7 Low 7:53 AM 0.4 5:48 PM Rise 11:52 PM
7 High 1:39 PM 4.1
7 Low 8:03 PM 0.3
Su 8 High 2:12 AM 4.3 7:03 AM Set 10:26 AM 67
8 Low 8:42 AM 0.5 5:49 PM
8 High 2:27 PM 3.9
8 Low 8:45 PM 0.4
M 9 High 3:01 AM 4.2 7:02 AM Rise 12:51 AM 57
9 Low 9:35 AM 0.6 5:50 PM Set 10:58 AM
9 High 3:16 PM 3.8
9 Low 9:32 PM 0.5
Tu 10 High 3:52 AM 4.2 7:01 AM Rise 1:50 AM 48
10 Low 10:30 AM 0.7 5:51 PM Set 11:36 AM
10 High 4:08 PM 3.7
10 Low 10:26 PM 0.5
W 11 High 4:45 AM 4.1 7:00 AM Rise 2:48 AM 38
11 Low 11:26 AM 0.7 5:52 PM Set 12:19 PM
11 High 5:01 PM 3.7
11 Low 11:22 PM 0.5
Th 12 High 5:39 AM 4.2 7:00 AM Rise 3:43 AM 29
12 Low 12:19 PM 0.7 5:53 PM Set 1:10 PM
12 High 5:55 PM 3.7
F 13 Low 12:17 AM 0.4 6:59 AM Rise 4:34 AM 21
13 High 6:33 AM 4.2 5:54 PM Set 2:06 PM
13 Low 1:10 PM 0.6
13 High 6:46 PM 3.8
Sa 14 Low 1:10 AM 0.3 6:58 AM Rise 5:19 AM 14
14 High 7:23 AM 4.4 5:55 PM Set 3:08 PM
14 Low 1:58 PM 0.5
14 High 7:34 PM 4.0
Su 15 Low 2:00 AM 0.2 6:57 AM Rise 5:59 AM 8
15 High 8:08 AM 4.5 5:55 PM Set 4:11 PM
15 Low 2:44 PM 0.4
15 High 8:18 PM 4.1
M 16 Low 2:49 AM 0.2 6:55 AM Rise 6:33 AM 3
16 High 8:49 AM 4.6 5:56 PM Set 5:16 PM
16 Low 3:28 PM 0.3
16 High 8:57 PM 4.3
Tu 17 Low 3:36 AM 0.1 6:54 AM Rise 7:03 AM 0
17 High 9:25 AM 4.7 5:57 PM Set 6:20 PM
17 Low 4:09 PM 0.3
17 High 9:31 PM 4.4
W 18 Low 4:21 AM 0.1 6:53 AM Rise 7:32 AM 0
18 High 9:58 AM 4.7 5:58 PM Set 7:25 PM
18 Low 4:48 PM 0.2
18 High 10:03 PM 4.6
Th 19 Low 5:07 AM 0.1 6:52 AM Rise 7:59 AM 1
19 High 10:30 AM 4.6 5:59 PM Set 8:30 PM
19 Low 5:26 PM 0.2
19 High 10:38 PM 4.7
F 20 Low 5:53 AM 0.1 6:51 AM Rise 8:26 AM 5
20 High 11:07 AM 4.5 6:00 PM Set 9:36 PM
20 Low 6:05 PM 0.1
20 High 11:20 PM 4.8
Sa 21 Low 6:42 AM 0.2 6:50 AM Rise 8:56 AM 11
21 High 11:52 AM 4.4 6:01 PM Set 10:45 PM
21 Low 6:46 PM 0.2
Su 22 High 12:10 AM 4.8 6:49 AM Rise 9:29 AM 20
22 Low 7:36 AM 0.4 6:02 PM Set 11:56 PM
22 High 12:47 PM 4.3
22 Low 7:34 PM 0.2
M 23 High 1:11 AM 4.7 6:48 AM Rise 10:08 AM 30
23 Low 8:37 AM 0.5 6:03 PM
23 High 1:52 PM 4.1
23 Low 8:31 PM 0.3
Tu 24 High 2:22 AM 4.6 6:46 AM Set 1:07 AM 40
24 Low 9:44 AM 0.6 6:04 PM Rise 10:55 AM
24 High 3:01 PM 4.0
24 Low 9:40 PM 0.4
W 25 High 3:37 AM 4.6 6:45 AM Set 2:17 AM 52
25 Low 10:50 AM 0.6 6:04 PM Rise 11:52 AM
25 High 4:10 PM 4.0
25 Low 10:51 PM 0.4
Th 26 High 4:50 AM 4.6 6:44 AM Set 3:21 AM 63
26 Low 11:53 AM 0.5 6:05 PM Rise 12:56 PM
26 High 5:17 PM 4.0
26 Low 11:58 PM 0.2
F 27 High 5:58 AM 4.6 6:43 AM Set 4:16 AM 74
27 Low 12:52 PM 0.4 6:06 PM Rise 2:06 PM
27 High 6:21 PM 4.2
Sa 28 Low 1:00 AM 0.1 6:42 AM Set 5:01 AM 83
28 High 7:01 AM 4.7 6:07 PM Rise 3:17 PM
28 Low 1:47 PM 0.2
28 High 7:20 PM 4.4
Weather / Marine Zone Forecast
MARINE WEATHER: Hazardous Weather Conditions
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Last Update: 555 AM EST Wed Jan 21 2026
View Nearby Observations
5NM ENE Dallas Rock MR
Marine Zone Forecast
TodayE winds 10 kt, diminishing to 5 kt this afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: SE 2 ft at 9 seconds and NE 1 ft at 3 seconds.
TonightS winds 5 kt, becoming W after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: SE 3 ft at 10 seconds and E 1 ft at 3 seconds.
ThuW winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: SE 3 ft at 10 seconds.
Thu NightSW winds 5 kt, becoming N after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: SE 3 ft at 10 seconds. A slight chance of rain after midnight.
FriN winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave detail: SE 3 ft at 10 seconds and NE 2 ft at 3 seconds. A chance of rain.
Fri NightN winds 15 to 20 kt, increasing to 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt after midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft, building to 4 to 6 ft after midnight. Wave detail: NE 3 ft at 4 seconds and SE 3 ft at 10 seconds, becoming NE 5 ft at 5 seconds and SE 3 ft at 10 seconds. A chance of rain.
SatNE winds 25 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Rain likely with a chance of sleet in the morning, then rain in the afternoon.
Sat NightNE winds 25 to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Rain.
SunN winds 20 to 25 kt, diminishing to 15 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Rain.
Sun NightN winds 15 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Rain likely. A chance of freezing rain after midnight.
