SOUTHPORT, N.C. (May 24, 2010) -- With a member of Congress, senior military leaders and state and local dignitaries present, a major milestone was met today at the port through which nine out of every ten rounds of ammunition sent to Iraq and Afghanistan are moved.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today at Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point (MOTSU) in Southport, N.C., signifying the completion of $58 million of construction and modernization on the terminal's center wharf that will improve how ammunition reaches deployed troops. In attendance was U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, North Carolina 7th District; Maj. Gen James L. Hodge, commanding general of Military Surface Deployment an Distribution Command (SDDC); as well as current and former MOTSU leaders and employees.
Operated by SDDC's 596th Transportation Brigade, MOTSU is the nation's largest ammunition terminal, serving all of the Department of Defense. MOTSU ships more than 90 percent of ammunition for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and is the primary terminal for DoD and Foreign Military Sales ammunition shipments around the world.
"When we think about our nation's servicemen and women and what they are doing to protect the way of life that all of us enjoy, we realize the critical part Sunny Point plays in that, so they can fulfill the job they're called upon to do," McIntyre said. "That starts right here at this military ocean terminal."
Improvements to the 2,000-foot center wharf include expanding its width by 20 feet and tearing down the high dock on the waterfront side to accommodate two new 80-foot ship-to-shore container cranes that will be installed in 2012. Rails for the cranes run the full length of the wharf, allowing full use of the wharf's length for simultaneously loading multiple ships.
"The bottom line is that the use of shipping containers has increased the velocity and efficiency of supply chains all around the world," Hodge said. "So, when I say this modern, state-of-the-art wharf will provide greater efficiency and increased throughput, you can understand why."
The center wharf project, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Wilmington District, has involved years of collaboration between USACE, SDDC, 596th Trans. Bde., the joint-venture contractors Cashman-Republic, Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC) and other local, state and federal entities.
The project reflects USACE's continuing relationship supporting military construction at MOTSU. Wilmington District built the original wharves between 1953-55 to meet safety requirements for shipping and handling munitions after World War II. The terminal's three wharves and deepened channel were designed to safely accommodate break bulk cargo operations. With the shift to containerized shipments, the project became necessary to meet requisite daily number of containers for contingency operations.
"It's not often that a Corps of Engineers district commander gets to be on the scene for both the groundbreaking and the dedication of a substantial project," said Col. Jefferson Ryscavage, commander of the Corps of Engineers Wilmington District. "I'm proud to be here today to complete the process we began in 2008."
The result of the improvements to center wharf will increase the speed and volume of ammunition that can be moved through the port, simultaneously reducing the amount of time ammunition ships spend berthed at the port. The improved throughput will enhance responsiveness to the needs of two wars in Southwest Asia, as well as reducing risk at the port.
"It's all about velocity and agility," said Don Parker, deputy commander of 596th Transportation Brigade and MOTSU. "MOTSU will become more responsive in getting munitions to the fight, while minimizing the time munitions are in transit, reducing exposure time of the vessel at berth. It's a huge force protection benefit in today's environment."
Ground was broken on center wharf in Oct. 2, 2008, and has stayed on track despite unique challenges, according to Parker.
"Cashman-Republic has done an outstanding job keeping the project on or ahead of schedule," Parker said. "BEMC has been another critical partner in this project. It took a significant amount of coordination between USACE, Cashman-Republic, MOTSU's Directorate of Public Works and SDDC Acquisition to ensure BEMC was able to perform the very complex electrical work that was paramount to the success of this project."
The center wharf construction is only one aspect of a greater modernization effort throughout the terminal. Other improvements have included realignment and refurbishing of the terminal's rail network to accommodate modern, longer flatcars, and the expansion of ammunition holding pads for the safe movement of container handling equipment.
"This project has been a great cooperative effort between MOTSU staff and the Corps of Engineers' Wilmington District," Col. Mark Hagan, MOTSU commander said. "It has solidified a superb working relationship across all of the many continuing projects for which the Corps has oversight at MOTSU. We've been in lock-step with each other throughout the project."
SDDC, MOTSU's higher command, serves the Department of Defense by planning, booking, shipping and tracking cargo; conducting port operations and managing personal property moves for servicemembers, federal employees and their families.
Social Sharing