Alabama’s Port of Mobile is launching its next major infrastructure upgrade as state and private leaders push to expand the port’s rapidly growing container operations. A new $131 million investment will add a 1,300-ft. container berth to support higher cargo demand and strengthen the region’s competitiveness in global shipping.
The project was announced Oct. 28 by the Alabama Port Authority and APM Terminals Mobile, marking the fifth phase of a long-term expansion strategy that has steadily transformed the port into a major Gulf Coast gateway.
Once completed, the container terminal will be able to simultaneously serve three Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) — ships carrying some of the world’s biggest cargo volumes.
“This new berth is a strategic next step in making sure Mobile stays ahead of the growth curve,” said Brian Harold, managing director of APM Terminals Mobile. “As cargo volumes grow, we're committed to scaling further in full partnership with the Port Authority and our customers.”
The expansion follows the recent completion of the Mobile Ship Channel widening and deepening, now at 50 ft., giving the port a size advantage over many regional competitors. The shipping boom has been dramatic:
Volume surpassed 500,000 TEUs for the first time in 2021
Terminal capacity rising toward 1 million TEUs annually by Phase IV completion
Total cranes upgraded from 2 to 6, with a seventh crane included in the new project
The port’s history of phased improvements has enabled larger vessels, faster turnarounds, and increased freight options for logistics providers and manufacturing customers throughout Alabama and beyond.
The newly approved expansion includes:
Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and take two years to complete, increasing overall terminal throughput to 1.4 million TEUs annually.
“This expansion is about more than infrastructure — it's about cementing Mobile's position as the Gulf's premier container gateway,” said Doug Otto, interim CEO and director of the Alabama Port Authority. “With the channel deepening complete, a new berth under way, the Phase IV expansion in progress, and APM Terminals' continued partnership, we're connecting businesses across Alabama — and across the nation — to global markets faster and more efficiently than ever before.”
The new location at the terminal’s southern end is also poised for further cargo-related investment. Officials say 25 adjacent acres could support:
Port leaders emphasize that the expansion supports more than operational efficiency — it strengthens Alabama’s nationwide trade standing, boosts job creation, and helps manufacturers reach international markets faster.
Originally reported by AL. Com
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