Canadian firm Ray-Mont Logistics has begun work on a loading terminal for plastic resins and forest products at the Port of Mobile.
The facility, which will be on property owned by Alabama Export Railroad (ALE) at the port, will be Ray-Mont’s third in the U.S. and add port options for CN rail customers. It’s slated to open later this year.
“Ray-Mont’s decision to establish operations here speaks to the competitive advantages we can offer manufacturers, shippers and their global customers,” said Alabama Port Authority Director and CEO Doug Otto. “With the deepest container port on the Gulf Coast, growing multimodal connectivity and expanding inland reach, the Port of Mobile continues to strengthen its position as America’s Gulf Gateway.”
The port recently completed a project to widen the shipping channel and deepen it to 50 feet, making it the deepest container port on the Gulf.
The addition of Ray-Mont is expected to add 60,000 TEUs of annual export capacity. A TEU is essentially equal to a 20-foot shipping container.
“The Port of Mobile is an increasingly important gateway for global trade, and we see this project as a meaningful opportunity to build long-term value around that momentum,” said Ray-Mont CEO Charles Raymond. “For Ray-Mont, this terminal expansion investment is about establishing a strong logistics platform in Mobile that connects inland resin and forest products production to international markets through an efficient, scalable and strategically positioned export hub.”
Buck Rogers, VP of petroleum and chemicals for CN, added, “This project is a strong example of how CN can help customers unlock growth where rail, port access and export demand come together. Mobile gives us a scalable platform to support new volumes in the southern region of our network, while helping customers move their products to global markets with greater efficiency.”
Brian Harold, managing director of APM Terminals, which operates Mobile’s containerized cargo operations, welcomed the news. “APM Terminals is excited to welcome Ray-Mont Logistics to Mobile, Alabama, and applaud their decision to establish a new state-of-the-art bagging facility here. We greatly appreciate Ray-Mont Logistics choosing Mobile for this important operation and the strong confidence they are showing in APM Terminals to reliably handle their high-volume container needs. Their presence will bring meaningful economic impact to the region and strengthen Mobile’s position as a premier logistics hub. We are honored by the trust they have placed in us and look forward to delivering the world-class support their business demands.”
