PORT OF MOBILE

Labor warns Alabama port authority seeks ‘back door’ to automation

A labor union is warning regulators that the federal government would be subsidizing future job cuts as well as a drive toward freight automation if a Buy America waiver sought by the Alabama State Port Authority (ASPA) is approved.

ASPA told the Federal Railroad Administration that the waiver is necessary in order to purchase two rubber-tired gantry cranes that it wants to install at its planned intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF) in Montgomery, Alabama.

Projects that receive funding...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/labor-warns-alabama-port-authority-seeks-back-door-to-automation

Port of Mobile enters fourth phase of $104M container terminal expansion

The Alabama Port Authority has begun the fourth phase of a project to double its container terminal capacity to over 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units.

The $104 million project is a partnership between the port authority and port operator APM Terminals Mobile.

Under the agreement, the port authority and APM Terminals are adding 32 acres to the existing 134-acre facility. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.

The latest phase will include the construction of an...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/port-of-mobile-enters-fourth-phase-of-104m-container-terminal-expansion

Gulf Coast ports report cargo volume surge in March

Container cargo flows increased at ports in Houston, New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, in March, but shipments of crude oil fell slightly at the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas.

Port Houston container shipments up 20% in March

Port Houston handled 360,991 twenty-foot equivalent units in March, a 20% year-over-year (y/y) increase.

Officials said total cargo flows through the Houston Ship Channel and the port’s two container facilities, Barbours Cut and Bayport, climbed 4% during the first quarter. 

“Fir...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/gulf-coast-ports-report-cargo-volume-surge-in-march

Ports roundup: Georgia breaks export record with almost $50B in trade

The Georgia Ports Authority sets export record for the third year consecutive year; the Alabama Port Authority and CSX partner to launch a new intermodal facility; and the Port of Cleveland receives $32 million to modernize its facilities.

Georgia breaks export record with almost $50B in trade in 2023

For the third consecutive year, exports from the state of Georgia hit an all-time high, reaching $49.7 billion in 2023, according to the state’s Department of Economic Development.

The previous...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ports-roundup-georgia-breaks-export-record-with-almost-50b-in-trade

US, Mexican partnership to expand international rail car-ferry service

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Short line rail operator Genesee & Wyoming (G&W) announced Tuesday that Grupo Mexico Transportes...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-mexican-partnership-to-expand-international-rail-car-ferry-service

APM Terminals Mobile announces $60M rail expansion plan

APM Terminals Mobile has begun a $60 million rail expansion project that “doubles capacity for customers” at the Port of Mobile, Alabama.

The terminal is adding 12,000 feet of tracks, as well as additional rail yard storage space and container capacity. The project will also improve access to the Port of Mobile. 

Leo Huisman, head of APM Terminals Americas, said the aim of the project is to provide faster rail loading and departure options for shippers and 3PLs in the Midwest and Southeast parts...

Port of Mobile achieves record container year

Port of Mobile in Alabama, US reported record container shipping numbers in the previous year, handling 563,191 TEUs, representing an 11% growth compared with 2021 box volumes.

Meanwhile, intermodal rail volumes continued a 31-month record of triple-digit growth, ending the year with a 142% increase over 2021.

Additionally, the container terminal handled a record 312 vessels, translating to an increase of 75 vessels from 2021.

The Alabama Port Authority has announced plans to expand the Port of...

https://container-news.com/port-of-mobile-achieves-record-container-year/

Gulf Coast ports see record container volumes in 2022

Ports in both Houston and Corpus Christi, Texas, along with the Port of New Orleans and the Port of Mobile, Alabama, saw increased volumes in 2022 as imports of steel, automotive parts, and lumber and plywood continued to flood into the country and demand for exports of U.S. petroleum and crude oil remained strong.

Port Houston sets annual record with 3.97 million TEUs 

Port Houston set a container volume record in 2022 by moving 3.97 million twenty-foot equivalent units, its highest total ever...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/gulf-coast-ports-see-record-container-volume-in-2022

Gulf Coast ports continued to see rising volumes in October

Gulf Coast ports got a boost in October from imports of steel, plywood and bagged goods, as well as exports of petroleum and crude oil.

Port Houston sees strong gains in imports

Port Houston saw a 13% increase in container volume during October, led by increased demand for bagged goods, plywood and auto imports, officials said.

Port Chairman Ric Campo said 2022 hasn’t shown any signs of “softening” demand at the port.

“Our volumes continue to be strong — we continue to hear about volume across the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/gulf-coast-ports-continued-to-see-rising-volumes-in-october

Stakeholders reach potential settlement on Gulf Coast Amtrak service

Some level of Amtrak passenger rail service could be established on the Gulf Coast, based on a recent filing submitted to the Surface Transportation Board.

In a joint filing Monday, Amtrak, CSX (NASDAQ: CSX), Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) and the Alabama State Port Authority asked the board to hold off on a Nov. 30 hearing on Amtrak’s plans to restore Gulf Coast service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans because the parties have a potential settlement within sight.

The parties also asked STB...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/stakeholders-reach-potential-settlement-on-gulf-coast-amtrak-service

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