APM Terminals announces expansion of rail capacity at Port of Mobile 

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APM Terminals Mobile announced a $60 million rail expansion that doubles the capacity for customers at APM’s Mobile Terminal in response to customer demand for more supply chain gateway options and inland rail logistics. The improvements are designed to enhance productivity, safety, and supply chain speed to market by doubling the container capacity of the terminal. 

Leo Huisman is the head of APM Terminals Americas.   

“Our customers are looking for expanded options for their supply chains, so we are focusing on faster connections to rail providers into inland markets,” said Huisman. “The company’s operational focus is based on vessels which can arrive at any hour and can start port operations immediately. The exclusive APM Terminals Mobile rail facility will enable faster rail loading and departures. The project will take approximately 24 months to complete and will increase the total length of working rail track at the facility to 12,000 feet. 

APM Terminals cited the widening and deepening of the Mobile Bay shipping channel as being responsible for the impetus in the Terminal expansion. 

Economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones said, “Alabama leads in economic development because of continuous collaboration between the public and private sector to create an environment conducive for business. When companies are seeking space, infrastructure is a critical component they analyze during the site selection process. APM Terminals Mobile’s decision to add tracks as well as railyard storage capacity, in addition to better access between the berth and the railyard, are notable improvements that will make our state even more attractive as a logistics corridor.” 

APM Terminals Mobile is investing in expanding its rail infrastructure capabilities. The terminal is adding additional tracks, rail yard storage space, and improved access from the berth to the railyard. 

As part of the project, the Alabama Port Authority is constructing a roadway flyover bridge to permit unimpeded railway access to-from the facility. This flyover bridge will enable APM Terminals Mobile to provide “on-dock” rail service.  

The rail facility will also link APM Terminals Mobile to the future Alabama Port Authority’s Montgomery, Alabama, inland port, which is expected to be completed in 2025.  

APM Terminals Mobile believes that future growth will be over one million TEU in 2025. This growth is supported by the Mobile harbor channel deepening and widening project. This will accommodate the larger vessels entering the global fleet following the widening of the Panama Canal by the Chinese.  

The harbor improvements will make Mobile the deepest harbor on the U.S. Gulf Coast, with no bridges or other height-restrictive infrastructure interfering with access to the terminal.  

“These improvements and our expanded rail facility will ensure customer competitiveness and strengthen Alabama as the preferred logistics corridor,” Mr. Huisman added. 

The anticipated increase in road traffic associated with the Port and Terminal improvements has led the Alabama Department of Transportation in January to advance a previously shelved effort to build an I-10 toll bridge and improve the bayway. That project is estimated to cost $1.5 billion.  

The state set a new record in 2022 for the value of Alabama’s exports of $25.5 billion. 

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