The APM Terminals Mobile facility in Alabama has handled two container ships simultaneously for the first time at its newly expanded berth.
Specifically, the Alabama Port Authority completed its 400-foot container dock extension at the APM Terminals Mobile facility on 20 March, and three days later, the terminal for the first time simultaneously handled two container ships at the newly expanded berth.
Now, the berth expansion enables two x 8,000-10,000 TEU be safely and easily handled simultaneously. The two ships were Belita with a length overall of 334.1 m and Cosco Santons with a length overall of 261.1 meters.
The project was part of a $50 million Phase 3 expansion that increased terminal capacity and productivity at the 10-year old APM Terminals Mobile intermodal container complex at the Port of Mobile.
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The Phase 3 modernization project follows prior investments by the Alabama State Port Authority and APM Terminals totaling $450 million in marine and rail container intermodal terminals.
In addition, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently issued a permit and receipt of full federal and state funding to take the Mobile Harbor to -50 feet draft by 2024, while construction on the channel and harbor improvements is expected to begin later this year.
Jimmy Lyons, director and chief executive officer for the Alabama State Port Authority, commented that
We continue to seek out and implement innovation and world-class infrastructure to meet the needs of our carriers and shippers.
