New ‘export-focused’ facility to bolster business at Port of Mobile

The Port of Mobile is poised for a major boost in shipping activity as Canadian firm Ray-Mont Logistics prepares to open its first Gulf Coast facility. This new venture marks the company's third U.S. location and represents a significant step forward for the Alabama Port Authority.

Boosting Export Capacity

The new operation is set to serve as an export-focused transloading facility, with its primary focus involving the bagging of plastic resin pellets for container shipping. Once the first phase reaches full operation, the facility is projected to add approximately 60,000 TEUs—an industry standard unit representing a 20-foot shipping container—to the port's annual export volume. For perspective, this single project adds a volume nearly half as large as the entire port's 112,000 TEU throughput in 2009.

A Growing Logistics Hub

APM Terminals Mobile has undergone repeated expansion since 2009, reaching a peak of 630,000 TEUs in 2024. The arrival of Ray-Mont is expected to increase that volume by nearly 10%, further cementing Mobile's reputation as the deepest container port on the Gulf Coast.

Alabama Port Authority Director and CEO Doug Otto highlighted the strategic value of the partnership, noting the port's growing multimodal connectivity and inland reach. Ray-Mont President and CEO Charles Raymond echoed these sentiments, describing Mobile as a vital gateway for connecting inland production of resin and forest products to international markets.

Economic Impact and Development

The project, which has been in the works since 2021, is located on land owned by the Alabama Export Railroad. The Mobile Chamber reports that the development is backed by a $31 million capital investment, supported by city-granted tax abatements. With operations expected to begin later this year, local leaders, including APM Terminals Managing Director Brian Harold, are welcoming the facility as a significant addition to the regional logistics landscape.