PORT OF MOBILE

Dockworkers strike fears at Port of Mobile amid record container volumes

A potential dockworker strike might launch at the Port of Mobile in Alabama, US as the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1410 and CSA Equipment Company, a stevedoring provider at the port, do not come to an agreement on workers’ payments.

The union members seem to have turned down a third company offer last month, while the workers at the port of Mobile have been without a contract since October 2018.

The potential strike actions, if an agreement has not been reached until 20...

https://container-news.com/dockworkers-strike-fears-at-port-of-mobile-amid-record-container-volumes/

Rising cargo volumes continue for Gulf Coast ports in July

Cargo volumes at major Gulf Coast ports continue to climb following a surge in demand for steel, dry bulk, petroleum and crude oil, according to data from each port.

Port Houston sees record steel imports 

Port Houston is handling a record amount of imported steel, with volumes from January through June up 92% compared to last year’s volume during the same period.

“Import steel is at levels we haven’t seen in nearly a decade,” Roger Guenther, Port Houston’s executive director, said during the port...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/rising-cargo-volumes-continue-for-gulf-coast-ports

Port of Mobile on track to surpass 500,000 TEU in 2022

The Alabama Port Authority has announced July 2022 was its busiest month ever for containerised cargo, breaking the 50,000 TEU mark for the first time since container port operations began in 2008.

In a year-over-year comparison, July’s figures reflect a growth rate of 184.7% for intermodal cargo and 35.8% for dry and reefer containers.

Port Authority director and CEO, John C. Driscoll, commented, “This growth shows that Mobile is a top choice for shippers looking to avoid congestion and delays...

https://container-news.com/port-of-mobile-on-track-to-surpass-500000-teu-in-2022/

CSX, NS and port push to keep Amtrak proceeding on track

Deliberations at the Surface Transportation Board over whether Amtrak should be allowed to reestablish Gulf Coast service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans are still ongoing, and all the parties appear to be holding fast to their convictions over the best way to address Amtrak’s request.

On one side, Amtrak says the board should grant its request to run two daily trains between New Orleans and Mobile. Amtrak previously offered service along the Gulf Coast, but that service stopped in the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/csx-ns-and-port-push-to-keep-amtrak-proceeding-on-track

Regulators to conduct hearing on CP’s plan to merge with KCS

A photograph of two locomotives. One is from Canadian Pacific and the other is from Kansas City Southern.

The Surface Transportation Board will conduct a three-day hearing in September on the proposed merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern in order to speak directly with the railways, as well as any other interested parties, about issues that have arisen during the proceeding.

“I have strongly favored public hearings in our proceedings, which not only allow the board members to deeply explore the issues with our stakeholders but also advance transparency into our decision-making,”...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/regulators-to-conduct-hearing-on-cps-plan-to-merge-with-kcs

Port of Mobile reports increased TEU volumes in 2022 first half

Container volumes at the Port of Mobile in the United States have increased significantly during the first six months of the year.

The port’s most impressive growth is noticed in its intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF), with an increase of 118.6% compared to the same period last year. Additionally, in the first half of 2022, dry and refrigerated cargo shipments grew by 8.7% and 25%, respectively.

Port of Mobile handled a total of 263,562 TEU from January 2022 until June 2022.

“The Port...

https://container-news.com/port-of-mobile-reports-increased-teu-volumes-in-2022-first-half/

CSX, NS share confidential data with Amtrak, enter mediation

The Surface Transportation Board is allowing select Amtrak staff to review “highly confidential” market and operations information from CSX and Norfolk Southern so it can respond to questions raised during a proceeding on its request to restore Gulf Coast passenger rail service. 

The STB is also ordering board-sponsored mediation for all parties. 

Amtrak wants to run two round trips per day on CSX- and NS-owned tracks and infrastructure between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, and it wants STB to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/csx-ns-share-confidential-data-with-amtrak-enter-mediation

Gulf Coast ports’ April cargo volumes get boost from imports  

Gulf Coast ports continue to see strong import volumes of steel, plywood, home goods and passenger vehicles, and exports of petroleum and crude oil.

Port Houston reports busiest April on record

Port Houston reported a surge in container volumes in April, handling a total of 334,493 twenty-foot equivalent units for the month.

It was a 21% year-over-year increase compared to the same month in 2021. Year-to-date container volume at Port Houston surpassed 1.2 million TEUs in April.

Roger Guenther, Port...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/gulf-coast-ports-april-cargo-volumes-boosted-by-imports

Port of Mobile: 39.7% increase in container volumes in April

The Alabama Port Authority has announced a 39.7% increase in the Port of Mobile container volumes in April, with the port’s container intermodal transfer facility growing by 112.6% year-on-year in the previous month.

During the same period, the Port of Mobile reported a significant growth in refrigerated cargo, posting a 57.9% gain.

As container volume continues to grow, the port authority is investing in infrastructure to increase capacity and efficiency for shippers using the gate.

In March...

https://container-news.com/port-of-mobile-39-7-increase-in-container-volumes-in-april/

Federal hearing on Amtrak’s planned Gulf Coast service powers on

The evidentiary hearing that the Surface Transportation Board is conducting this week on Amtrak’s request to restore Gulf Coast service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans appears poised to stretch beyond its original two-day schedule as the board and witnesses wrangle over what is and isn’t within the board’s jurisdiction.

Amtrak is seeking to reestablish service between the two Gulf Coast cities after service was stopped in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Amtrak wants to run...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/federal-hearing-on-amtraks-planned-gulf-coast-service-powers-on

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