The North Carolina port of Morehead City, evacuated and shut down after a chemical spill yesterday, is expected to reopen on Wednesday morning (8pm HK time).

The NC State Ports Authority said Carteret County first responders and emergency management officials were trying to secure the area, closed following the "hazardous materials incident".

Highway 70 from 4th Street to Beaufort was closed and officials also requested a voluntary evacuation by those in areas surrounding the port.

It was expected that Highway 70 would reopen and the voluntary evacuation request would be lifted prior to the port reopening. There were no reported injuries or damage to the environment.

The accident occurred during discharge of a commercial ship at the Port. The port authority said vessel operations at North Carolina Ports were handled by private stevedoring companies and no NC State Ports Authority employees were involved.

Hazardous materials are among the top imports at Morehead City and are handled routinely under all prescribed regulations for safe handling and transportation and in conjunction with local and state emergency management agencies.

"We are grateful to all the first responders and emergency management personnel for their quick response and the safe manner in which the incident was handled," said Ports Authority CEO Thomas Eagar.