McDuffie Terminals Posts Record Year

For the first time since it began operations in 1975, McDuffie Coal Terminals at Alabama State Docks has topped the 10 million ton mark in a single fiscal year. 

Total tonnage at McDuffie for FY 2000, which ended Sept. 30, is 10,292,133.38 tons. Export tonnage loaded into 70 vessels was 5,231,307.76 net tons. Shipped through McDuffie for domestic use within the United States was 5,060,825.62 tons. This was loaded for shipment into 3,049 barges and 177 rail cars. Forty-four import vessels were unloaded, and almost 50,000 (49,989) railcars brought the coal to McDuffie Island.

Major coal shippers that use McDuffie are Jim Walter, U.S. Steel Mining, Drummond Coal Sales, Hodder and Pacificorp Syn Fuels. 

During McDuffie’s 25 years in existence, about 175 million tons of coal have been stored and shipped. Much of that coal was from Alabama mines. Within the last couple of years, import coal has been added to the stockpiles, turning the previous export terminal into a multi-use transportation import and export terminal. 

"We are particularly pleased with the increase in export over last year’s low figures. Our major exporters have been very aggressive in this market and have regained ground lost in the last couple of years,” said James K. Lyons, director and CEO of the State Docks.

"Transportation efficiencies have been gained with ships unloaded at Berth 3 and simply shifted to Berth 1 or 2 for loading. This should lead to lower ocean freight cost, which will be to the advantage of our shippers. 

"Productivity and capacity at the terminal will be enhanced with the purchase of an additional crane scheduled for delivery late in the third quarter of 2001. The crane is currently being rebuilt by ZPMC in Shanghai,” Mr. Lyons said.