The Alabama Port Authority announced that the Mobile navigation channel has officially reached its authorized depth of 15.24 meters.
The Port of Mobile, in coordination with the US Army Corps of Engineers (Usace) and the Mobile Bar Pilots, reviewed the latest soundings of the waterway and deemed the route suitable for vessel transit.
The bulk carrier Sakizaya Power became the first vessel to use the deeper channel, loading additional tonnage and sailing with a draft of 14.7 meters to berth at the McDuffie Coal Terminal.
“This milestone demonstrates the immediate value of the project. As soon as the Corps of Engineers confirmed the channel was ready, our customers took advantage of the greater depth. This is precisely why this project is important: it means lower transportation costs, more efficient trade, and an even stronger economic engine for Alabama,” said Doug Otto, interim director and CEO of the Alabama Port Authority.
“From the federal authorization process to the approval of the Alabama Rebuild Act, this would not have been possible without the leadership of former Senator Richard Shelby and Governor Kay Ivey. Together, their actions forged the state-federal collaboration that culminated this transformative project,” stated Zeke Smith, chairman of the Alabama Port Authority Board.
Although the channel is fully open at 15 meters, work to widen the turning basin near the port’s container terminal continues.
