In keeping with their commitments to service and efficiency, the Alabama Port Authority and APM Terminals inked a deal to add container capacity at the Port of Mobile. Under the agreement, the Port Authority and APM Terminals will add 32 acres to the existing 134-acre facility bringing the facility’s annual throughput capacity to one million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). 

These improvements mark the fourth time the Alabama Port Authority and APM Terminals have expanded the container terminal since its opening in October, 2008.  The new $104 million Phase IV expansion program adds a new sheet pile wall on the north side of the terminal to facilitate the filling of approximately 13 acres of man-made water-bottoms generating new land.  The project will also develop another 19 acres adjacent to the water-bottoms generating a combined yard of 32 acres.  The first 19 acres are expected to be completed in 2024 and the 13 acres are expected to be completed by early 2025.  

The Alabama Port Authority and its operator, APM Terminals, will partner in the delivery of the project with APM Terminals committed to install two new ship-to-shore super post-panamax cranes totaling $30 million. The Port Authority will undertake $74 million in land improvements.  

“We have a great partner in APM Terminals and incredible community support to further world class infrastructure for our carriers and shippers,” said John C. Driscoll, director and chief executive officer of the Alabama Port Authority.  “This added capacity will allow our port to keep pace with demand and maintain fluidity and service for our customers.”

The Alabama Port Authority released its April 2022 container volumes through the Port of Mobile showing a 39.7% increase over April 2021 volumes  The port’s container intermodal transfer facility posted 112.6% growth in April compared to April 2021 volumes handled, and refrigerated cargo also maintained its double-digit growth, posting a 57.9% gain over April 2021 volumes.

In March this year, the Port Authority was awarded $67.3 million through the FY2022 Omnibus Appropriations Act for intermodal and freight rail infrastructure improvements.  Proceeds from that award will fund a joint venture between the Port Authority and CSX Transportation to construct by 2024 an inland intermodal transfer facility (ICTF) at Montgomery, Alabama.  

The Port Authority was also recently awarded $38 million, under a U.S. Department of Transportation multimodal demonstration program grant, to construct an interterminal connector at the container terminal. The project connects the marine terminal to the nearby intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF) and logistics park by early 2025.  Funding under this grant will also be invested in site improvements at the adjacent logistics park.  

 “APM Terminals is extremely excited by this next step.  This is our third expansion in six years, which underscores the high level of demand by the shipping community to utilize the Mobile gateway,” said Brian Harold, Managing Director of APM Terminals Mobile.  “We have high growth aspirations for our Mobile facility and this next infrastructure improvement will help ensure that we meet those expectations in full.”

The Alabama Port Authority oversees the deep-water public seaport facilities at the Port of Mobile. The Alabama Port Authority’s container, general cargo and bulk facilities have immediate access to two interstate systems, five Class 1 railroads, and nearly 15,000 miles of inland waterways.