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New Port Container Terminal Opens

By Associated Press

Published: Thu, November 06, 2008 - 5:12 am Last Updated: Thu, November 06, 2008 - 5:14 am

Short URL: http://wkrg.com/a/20674/

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - Alabama's port is preparing for larger ships
that will travel through the expanded Panama Canal in 2014 and
boost container shipments. That preparation includes a new $300
million container terminal covering 135 acres on Mobile's
waterfront.
It's a joint venture by APM Terminals, based in the Netherlands,
and CMA CGM, a French firm. Terminal operations began in October,
serving one ship a week so far. That's 1,000 containers per ship
unloaded by giant cranes.
Gov. Bob Riley is expected to join local officials Thursday to
officially open the terminal. Port CEO Jimmy Lyons says the
terminal already has generated spinoff warehouse business and
boosted dockside employment.
The terminal has access to five railroads and is only minutes
from Interstates 10 and 65.