Articles
Morehead City Port Welcomes New Wood Chip Business
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The NC State Ports Authority celebrated the loading of the first wood chip vessel from the Port of Morehead City, the M/V Stellar Grace, on behalf of Cogent Fibre and Industrial Marine Services. Nearly 40,000 tons of wood chips were loaded onto the vessel destined for Turkey to be used in the manufacturing of medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
The rehabilitation of the wood chip facility in Morehead City was the result of a $1.5 million joint venture between exporter, Cogent Fibre and marine contracting firm, Industrial Marine Services. Cogent Fibre has been debarking and chipping timber sourced from areas in eastern North Carolina at the Port of Morehead City since April 2011.
“Today’s loading is the result of three years of partnership with Cogent and IMS. The commitment of IMS in refurbishing the woodchip handling equipment at the Port of Morehead City was unmatched. This, partnered with Cogent’s personnel, and environmentally-sound product and process will provide outstanding growth opportunities for timber growers, loggers, truckers, and port-related industries,” said Tom Eagar, CEO, NC State Ports Authority.
Morehead City was the preferred choice for Cogent Fibre’s expanding wood chip exporting business.
“The Port and surrounding area provide a deep water berth, preexisting wood chip receiving and loading equipment, a strong wood fiber basket and an excellent logging and trucking force. Cogent is thrilled to be working with the Port Authority and Industrial Marine Services to bring the wood chip terminal back to life and provide additional employment opportunities to the local community,” said Robert Mantrop, Principle, Cogent Fibre.
Established in 2005, Cogent Fibre is a privately held company that produces and exports pine wood chips from the eastern coast of the United States. To date, Cogent Fibre has exported nearly three million metric tons of pine wood chips and is proud to be the leading wood chip exporter on the eastern coast of North America. www.cogentfibre.com
Industrial Marine Services is a full service logistics company delivering over 40 years of knowledge and experience in designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating dry bulk marine facilities and stevedoring throughout the Southeast region. www.indmarineservices.com
The celebration was marked with a luncheon, presentations to the project partners, and a tour of the chipping operation and vessel.
In 2009, forestry, logging, and wood products manufacturing contributed well over $6 billion to North Carolina’s economy and employed nearly 75,000 people in the state.
