Dock extension boosts US terminals capacity

The dock extension was carried out at the 115-acre APM Terminals Mobile deep-sea facility at the Port of Mobile as part of Alabama State Port Authority’s modernisation programme to meet shipper demand, accommodate larger vessels and avoid possible vessel berth conflicts.

The berth extension, completed on 20 March, now enables two 8,000-10,000 TEU be safely and easily handled simultaneously. The 334.1m Belita and the261.1m Cosco Santos were the first to use the newly expanded berth.

Jimmy Lyons, director and chief executive officer for the Alabama State Port Authority, said: “We’re very pleased with both carrier and shipper confidence in our program as they continue to introduce larger ships, add capacity and increase volumes through the Port.”

The quay extension was part of a US$50m Phase 3 expansion that increased terminal capacity and productivity at the 10-year-old APM Terminals Mobile intermodal container complex.

The dock enhancement project also bolstered the mooring and fender systems to accommodate Super Post-Panamax vessels.

The APM Terminals Mobile Phase 3 modernisation project complements prior investments by the Alabama State Port Authority and APM Terminals totalling US$450m in marine and rail container intermodal terminals.

Investments to date will soon be enhanced by the recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued permit and receipt of full federal and state funding to take the Mobile Harbor to -50 feet draft by 2024. Construction on the channel and harbor improvements is expected to begin later this year.