Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point (MOTSU) is the largest military ammunition shipping terminal in the world, the key ammunition shipping point on the Atlantic Coast, the Army's primary east coast deep-water port, and one of a handful of Department of Defense terminals equipped to handle containerized ammunition. It serves as a transfer point between rail, trucks, and ships for the import and export of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and military equipment for United States Army and is operated by the 596th Transportation Brigade.
Benchmark Planning was contracted by the Cape Fear Council of Governments to develop a Joint Land Use Study, which is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA). The primary goal of the study was to promote compatible civilian development to support the long-term sustainability and operability of the military installation. The study area included portions of Brunswick and New Hanover Counties, including the City of Boiling Spring Lakes, the Town of Carolina Beach, the Town of Kure Beach, the Town of Leland, and the City of Southport.