The Alabama Port Authority released its April 2022 results for container volumes through the Port of Mobile showing a 39.7 percent increase over April 2021 volumes. The port’s container intermodal transfer facility posted 112.6 percent growth in April compared to April 2021 volumes handled, and refrigerated cargo also maintained its double-digit growth, posting a 57.9 percent gain over April 2021 volumes. This report follows eight-straight months of container volume growth at the Port of Mobile.
As container volumes continue to climb, the Port Authority is moving forward on infrastructure investments to add capacity and efficiencies for shippers utilizing the gateway. In March this year, the U.S. Department of Transportation granted the Alabama Port Authority and the Mobile Airport Authority a combined $100 million to enhance the Port of Mobile’s multimodal transportation hub to better serve commerce. Specifically, the Alabama Port Authority’s $38 million portion of the award will construct two projects aimed at increasing capacity for intermodal rail and multimodal freight movements at the Port of Mobile. Planned investment includes a new inter-terminal bridge connecting the marine terminal with the intermodal rail facility and the adjacent logistics park. Funds will also provide for site development work at the neighboring adjacent logistics park.
The Port Authority also received $67.3 million for intermodal and freight rail infrastructure improvements under the FY2022 Omnibus Appropriations Act. This funding will facilitate the construction of an inland intermodal transfer facility (ICTF) at Montgomery, Ala. The $58 million dollar facility, located along the I-65 corridor, provides regional intermodal shippers rapid transit to and from the Port of Mobile. The Port Authority and CSX Transportation are partnering to construct the facility, and when completed, will generate 2,618 direct and indirect jobs, $340 million in business revenues and over $14.2 million in state and local taxes. The project is expected to take 28-36 months to complete.
In addition to the Montgomery ICTF, the State of Alabama announced the creation of the Alabama-USA Corridor. The Norfolk Southern oversees the phased, $231.6 million program to increase freight and intermodal rail capacity and velocity and develop in-state mega sites to foster economic development. The project includes rail improvements to connect Norfolk Southern’s McCalla intermodal facility at Birmingham, Ala., with the Port of Mobile. Combined the A-USA corridor improvements strengthen supply chain resiliency in the Southeast United States.
“It’s rewarding to see the port’s long term strategic vision come to fruition and play a role in driving economic growth throughout the region,” said Beth Branch, Chief Commercial Officer.
The Alabama State 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.
