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WILMINGTON -- With a goal in mind of development and creating jobs within the state, N.C. State Ports Authority CEO Thomas Eagar delivered the annual "State of the Ports" address Tuesday.

Despite the recession, Eagar told a crowd of more than 100 people that the ports authority has actually experienced an increase in containers coming in and out of the port. Eagar said they've experienced a 28 percent increase compared to last year.

"If you compare that performance to other ports, I'm not sure I know of any other port that can report that type of increase in container lifts," Eagar explained.

Eager attributed the growth to two new container shipping services that began last March.

UNC Wilmington Senior Economist William Hall said the container growth is a positive sign for the state's economy.

"Whenever we see an increase in container tonnage, it's indicative of the fact that distributors, retailers think perhaps things are turning around," Hall said.

However, ports officials said they experienced a decline on cargo volume especially in housing, construction and automotive industries. For instance, lumber volumes dropped 56 percent at the state ports.

"We have seen a significant downturn in the general terminal, but overall we're optimistic," Eagar said. "We're hoping to see a market recovery over the next two years."

To help the ports prosper, officials want to add a few more container lines over the next few years. The ports are also working on moving forward with plans for a new N.C. International Terminal in Brunswick County.