The Port of Mobile posted a record high 502,623 TEU year for containerized cargo, up nearly 19%from 2020.
Since it began containerized operations in 2008, the port has moved more than 3.6 million TEUs, or 20-foot equivalent units, and volume has grown by 120% since 2015, making the Port of Mobile among the fastest-growing container ports in the nation.
“Mobile continues to perform, attracting new customers seeking out terminal efficiency, services and inland connectivity to key US markets,” said John C. Driscoll, director and chief executive officer of the Alabama Port Authority, noting that the Port experienced minimal congestion last year, with no vessel delays at anchor and posted vessel-to-rail turn times within 24 hours.
Refrigerated cargos were close to a record with 790 containers in 2021, up 50% from 2020. Much of that increase, port officials said, is due to delivery of almost $74 million in new refrigerated facilities at the port, supporting cold cargo supply chains.
Port rail also grew with some 23,776 TEUs handled, or 139% more than 2020.
In addition to new facilities, new vessel calls to support Asian trade were an asset in Mobile, which is building on its quick service to Memphis and Chicago.
News of the record year for cargo came the same day that the Port introduced a new website and branding to reflect major upgrades to the Port of Mobile itself.
The website and branding are “aimed at highlighting the capabilities and connectivity at one of the nation’s largest deep-water seaports,” the port said in announcing the changes.
“The new website — www.ALPorts.com — utilizes imagery reflective of the port’s infrastructure investment and provides in a streamlined format information important to the port’s customers, service providers, stakeholders, and the public at large,” the port added.
“We are embarking on telling the story of the Port of Mobile to a wide audience — locally and statewide, but also nationally and internationally. The Port has seen exceptionally strong growth with minimal operational disruptions,” said Driscoll. “In launching our new brand and website, our intent is to communicate our unsurpassed efficiency, reliability and connectivity.”
The new branding is based around a streamlined M with colors chosen to be “representative of what the Alabama Port Authority provides to employees, customers, and stakeholders,” officials said in today’s statement. “Blue represents trust and responsibility, red represents energy and passion, and green represents reliability and sustainability.”
Since 2001, the port has completed more than $1.3 billion in improvements to the seaport, terminal rail and waterways. More than $750 million in new infrastructure is in progress or in planning stages. The port handles import and export of containerized, breakbulk, bulk, RO/RO and over-dimensional cargo movements.
Port employees worked on the project for more than six months, with key insights coming from front-line managers and supervisors who work daily with customers and stakeholders.
JJPR Agency, based in Daphne, was responsible for creative work on the brand and the website.
