The Alabama Port Authority and APM Terminals Mobile announced an agreement to proceed with the construction of a new 396.24-meter container wharf at the Port of Mobile.
This USD 131 million project, funded by federal allocations to the Authority and reinforced by private investments from the operator, an independent division of A.P. Moller – Maersk, marks the next major investment in the growth of the Mobile container terminal and will expand the berth capacity by 50%, allowing the terminal to handle three ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) simultaneously.
The “Phase V” initiative is the latest piece of a multi-stage expansion effort, undertaken by the Alabama Port Authority and APM Terminals Mobile to ensure that Mobile remains one of the most competitive and resilient container gateways in the United States.
Following the recent completion of the USD 366 million Port of Mobile deepening project, the new wharf complements over USD 200 million in investments currently underway, including a container yard expansion, a rail capacity enhancement, and the construction of a rail flyover that will enable direct rail access at the berth site.
Construction of the new wharf is expected to begin in 2026 with completion scheduled for 24 months after the start of work. Once the additional enclosure is completed, APM Terminals Mobile’s annual berth capacity will be 1.4 million TEU, supported by a total of seven STS cranes.
APM Terminals and the Alabama Port Authority also agreed to a 20-year extension of the concession to operate the container terminal, now valid until 2058 with two ten-year extension options, and to increase lease payments to support the Port Authority’s investment.
“This expansion is about more than infrastructure, it is about consolidating Mobile’s position as the premier container gateway in the Gulf,” said Doug Otto, Interim CEO and Director of the Alabama Port Authority.
“With the channel deepening completed, a new wharf underway, the Phase IV expansion in progress, and the continued partnership with APM Terminals, we are connecting businesses across Alabama — and across the country — with global markets faster and more efficiently than ever,” Otto emphasized.
“This new wharf is the next strategic step to ensure that Mobile stays ahead of the growth curve. As cargo volumes grow, we are committed to scaling up even further in full partnership with the Port Authority and our customers,” commented Brian Harold, Managing Director of APM Terminals Mobile.
