ALABAMA STATE PORT AUTHORITY WELCOMES KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN SERVICES IN THE PORT OF MOBILE

The Alabama State Port Authority welcomes Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) (“KCS”) services in the Port of Mobile, Ala.  KCS announced earlier today it would immediately begin to access the port through a combination of haulage and trackage rights with Canadian National ("CN") from Jackson, Miss. to Mobile, Ala.  The KCS/CN agreement provides KCS customers with full access Alabama State Docks facilities and the Central Gulf Railroad.  Additionally, the agreement provides KCS an interchange point with CSX. 

KCS is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico, and Panama. Its primary holding is Kansas City Southern Railway.  Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, KCS serves customers in the central and south central regions of the U.S.  KCS’ rail holdings and investments are primary components of a NAFTA Railway system that links the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. 

“The access agreement is part of KCS’ strategy to extend the railroad’s reach and provide customers with numerous shipping options in terms of ocean freight,” said Larry Stevenson, senior vice president marketing and sales.  “With access to the Port of Mobile, KCS now offers customers service to seven U.S. gulf ports, more than any other rail carrier.”   

“We are extremely pleased that KCS will be offering services at Mobile,” said Jimmy Lyons, Director/CEO, Alabama State Docks.  “One of our most valuable assets and biggest strengths as a Port is the rail network that we have in Mobile.  KCS further strengthens that network, offering services on a single line basis to a number of points not previously covered.  We look forward to working with the KCS staff to help build business through our Port.”

The Alabama State Port Authority serves as Alabama's primary deepwater port encompassing approximately 3000 acres and over 4 million square feet of cargo handling area.  The Port Authority operates its own short line railroad, Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks (TASD), now providing services to 5 Class I Rail carriers.