N.C. port authority selects CH2M Hill to develop international port
CH2M Hill, a global engineering designer specializing in port and maritime design and planning, will manage the development process of the proposed North Carolina International Port (NCIP) on the Cape Fear River in Brunswick County, the port said Wednesday.
After a selection process lasting several months and including proposals and live presentations, the North Carolina State Ports Authority recommended the selection of CH2M Hill, a move also approved by the state building commission.
NCIP is planned for a 600-acre site on the west bank of the Cape Fear River, about 9.5 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Conceptual plans for the port include a major international port terminal with a minimum annual capacity of 1.5 million TEUs, 4,000 linear feet of berthing space and an industrial park on site for distribution centers or related operations.
“CH2M Hill will be the prime consultant, with a team of companies which lead their respective fields of expertise,” said Tom Eagar, chief executive officer of the port authority, in a statement. “This team will focus on project management, planning and design of port and intermodal facilities, environmental issues, public outreach and overall support for the N.C. International Port project.”
According to Eagar, the authority will negotiate a contract with CH2M Hill over the next several weeks, which will define the scope of work for the NCIP project. The port authority board of directors must also approve the contract.