North Carolina Ports Launched Cold Cargo Growth Plan

Logistics and import operators should monitor planned expansion in refrigerated capacity as state ports seek new growth.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Transportation

Isometric editorial illustration of a shipping container on a terminal dock, representing refrigerated port infrastructure expansion. — The North Carolina State Ports Authority has initiated a five-year growth plan to boost refrigerated cargo infrastructure at the Port of Wilmington. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local ports prioritize refrigerated cargo infrastructure to encourage regional economic growth?

The North Carolina State Ports Authority launched a five-year growth plan on July 1, 2026, targeting refrigerated cargo infrastructure to counter a 30% decline in overall containerized traffic during the same fiscal year. The strategic roadmap aims to capitalize on rising demand for cold-chain logistics in the region.

Why it matters

Refrigerated cargo now accounts for 15% of total trade volume at North Carolina ports and grew 5% year-over-year, making it a critical growth vertical. Expanding these facilities is the authority's primary strategy to reverse recent container volume losses and attract $170 million in third-party investment.

Refrigerated cargo volume grew 5% year-over-year compared to a 30% total decline in containerized traffic for fiscal year 2026. The state aims to attract $170 million in third-party investment by 2031 to support this infrastructure.

The players

North Carolina State Ports Authority

A state-run entity that manages deep-water ports at Wilmington and Morehead City alongside an inland port in Charlotte.

Cold Summit Development

An industrial real estate developer that delivered a 300,000-square-foot facility to support cold-chain logistics.

US Customs and Border Protection

A federal agency that collaborates with port authorities to facilitate trade inspections and regulate cargo movement.

The details

The plan builds on existing facilities, including the 85,000-square-foot cold storage unit at the Port of Wilmington, which currently operates at 85% capacity. Operations will continue to leverage integrated on-port USDA inspections and cargo mixing services provided in partnership with environmental and agricultural departments. The strategy seeks to scale total refrigerated volume to over 54,000 TEU annually by 2031.

2016: Port of Wilmington cold storage facility opened.
September 2024: Cold Summit Development facility delivered.
July 1, 2026: NC Ports began a five-year strategic plan.
2031: Conclusion of five-year strategic growth plan.

Market Landscape

The 2026 strategic plan marks a significant expansion of the refrigerated cargo focus established by the 2016 facility opening at Wilmington. It follows a pattern of state-led infrastructure investment, similar to the $45 million gate project and $70 million Silvi Cement terminal.

Operators reliant on cold-chain logistics should factor in the projected 12% compound annual growth for refrigerated cargo through 2031. Review your supply chain routing and potential throughput capacity at the Port of Wilmington as the state pushes for increased private investment.

The takeaway

The authority is betting that shifting specialized capacity toward cold storage will offset broader container volume volatility. Operators should track the $170 million in third-party investment targets to identify emerging opportunities for logistics and distribution partnerships in the state.