Sunny Point hosts 3rd Annual munitions carrier appreciation conference

FORT EUSTIS, Va. (USTCNS) --- Over 30 transportation experts gathered at the Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point, N.C, on May 11-12, to participate in the 597th Transportation Terminal Group's third annual Munitions Carrier Appreciation Conference.

Some of the nation's most notable munitions carriers were on hand to discuss the latest trends in the munitions transportation business. Represented were: Baggett Transportation; CSX Transportation; RR Trucking; Federal Freight; NWS Yorktown; T. F. Boyle Transportation; Landstar Ranger, Inc.; 954th Trans Co (Cape Canaveral); and Trism.

Last year's conference was an overwhelming success and this year was even better, according to Mrs. Brenda T. Hewett, Chief of Traffic Management Division.

"This conference gave Sunny Point personnel an opportunity to better understand the flow of cargo to and from the depot to the port," said Hewett. "It also gives us a chance to build upon our already strong working relationships with our industry partners."
Transportation industry partners viewed the command briefing and toured Sunny Point's 16,000-acre, world-class facility to raise their awareness of how the 597th conducts business.

A principle topic of this year's conference centered on the Secretary of the Army's April 5 decision authorizing the limited use of the Sunny Point terminal for commercial explosives movement.

Many of the companies attending this year's conference move DoD cargo in and out of Sunny Point on a regular basis. Some are expected to move commercial cargo as well.

Rationale for the decision stems from the severely limited ability of U.S. commercial port operators to move explosive cargo, coupled with Sunny Point's experience and track record for safely and efficiently moving military munitions over the past 45 years.

With approval from the MTMC Commander, MOTSU is now authorized to handle and ship explosives and/or ammunitions not owned by the Armed Forces of the United States. The authorization also affords the Sunny Point terminal the opportunity to offer its excess peacetime capacity and services to commercial buyers.

"Providing these services will enhance MOTSU's wartime readiness while spreading our operating costs over a broader customer base," said Col. George Montgomery, commander of the 597th Transportation Terminal Group. (FROM MILITARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COMMAND, DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).