DOCKS FY TONNAGE TOPS 20.5 MILLION

During fiscal year 2001, which ended Sept. 30, tonnage numbers for Alabama State Docks’ facilities and industries located on Docks property were more than 20.5 million. Reported tonnage for the entire port was about 38 million.

McDuffie Terminal, which handles import and export coal, topped its 10.2 million ton record of last year by another 2 million tons. This year’s 12.2 million tons, when added to the 1.3 million tons of coal handled at the Docks’ Bulk Plant, brought 13.5 million tons of coal through the Docks during FY 2001.

Other cargo included 3 million tons of primarily forest products (2 million) and metals (600,000) at General Cargo/Intermodal; 2 million tons of various ores at the Bulk Plant; 2 million tons of grain through an elevator lease to Farmer’s Grain; and the remaining tonnage in dry and liquid bulks.

During the fiscal year, a number of changes were taking place at the Docks. The last remaining 1929 warehouse was removed and will be replaced during the coming year with a 200,000 square foot warehouse at North A pier. A number of enhancements, including the addition of a Gottwald mobile harbor crane, were completed at the port’s container terminal.

The port is beginning a five-year improvement and expansion plan of $300 million. This expansion was assured when Alabama voters approved a $100 million investment in the port through the issuance of general obligation bonds. The port’s first phase investment of $45 million will include the new warehouse and a second roll on-roll off ramp at North A; container operating equipment; a 60,000 square foot warehouse expansion at Pier South C, and the paving of a 10-acre site for lay down of metals, among other capital improvement projects. Docks’ operational costs are funded through port revenues. About $7.5 million of Phase One funding will be used for permit approvals and design preparation for Choctaw Point Terminals, where a new intermodal center will be built. This center will be located two miles south of the main docks and has access to water that is 45 feet deep.

At McDuffie Terminal, a new import crane will go into operation by calendar year’s end. The bulk crane is expected to arrive in Mobile from China in mid-November. It will greatly improve import bulk handling capability as it joins an already existing ship unloader and two ship loaders at the terminal’s deep-draft berths.

With expansions underway and others in the design stage, the Docks marketing team is working hard to seek new services that will attract the customers necessary for success.

James K. Lyons, director and CEO, said, “International trade continues to be an important economic benefactor for the state, and we believe that the State Docks has made one of the largest contributions to that effort. We continue to work on improving our facilities, marketing our effort and becoming an even stronger port. Increased awareness of our capabilities and our new investment will help us reach that goal.”