Last updated on
July 10, 2009

WOOD CHIP EXPORT FACILITY

Background: Morehead City Terminals, Inc. (MCT) is an independent importer and exporter of bulk materials. Typical bulk materials handled by MCT are borate, potash, and wood chips. Operations are based at The Port of Morehead City, North Carolina. MCT stores bulk materials in both open and closed facilities on the Port property awaiting material shipment by truck, train, or ship.

Situation: MCT’s business is expanding. In addition to their present hardwood chip exporting commitments, Weyerhaeuser requested MCT to begin loading ships with softwood chips. Since MCT’s existing wood chip handling system is dedicated full time to handling of hardwood chips, using the existing equipment for the softwood chips was not acceptable. Another problem facing MCT was finding enough surface area on the Port’s limited property to stockpile sufficient softwood chips.

MCT employed A. G. Raymond & Company (AGRCO) to complete preliminary engineering and budgets for the softwood chip expansion. After an initial identification of three possible locations for the new softwood expansion, AGRCO engineered material handling equipment layouts for the three locations. These layouts were based upon the current and projected volume requirements of MCT. For each layout, a capital budget estimate, wood chip pile storage volume, schedule, and concerns list was generated in addition to an equipment layout. AGRCO provided MCT with the data required to determine the optimal alternative.

As of February 1996, MCT’s softwood expansion is under construction and on schedule for the first ship loading on April 1, 1996.

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A. G. Raymond & Company Inc.  1033 Wade Ave. Suite 102 Raleigh, NC  27605
Phone: (919) 831-0070  Fax: (919) 831-0072  Email: info@raymondnet.com