CN gains partners to expand Alabama's Port of Mobile

CN, the Canadian National Railway Company, said Monday it is moving forward with plans to partner with the Alabama State Port Authority and APM Terminals Mobile to expand the capacity and facilities in the Port of Mobile.

CN signed a memorandum of understanding with APM and the port that aims to increase the port’s global presence.

Part of that plan is a new rail hub project at the port which will allow seamless container transfer from the docks to railcars.

CN operates more than 20,000 miles of railway in the  U.S. and Canada. It would like to see the Port of Mobile have a wider role in handling the freight the railway moves.

CN Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer JJ Ruest said Mobile stands to become a bigger player in handling cargo coming into the U.S., especially with the widening of the Panama Canal. Gulf Coast ports, he said, will be playing a greater role once that project is completed.

"With increased canal capacity and the new rail facility at the Port of Mobile, CN sees a 'third-coast' opportunity for increased volumes of container traffic entering North America via the Gulf of Mexico,” Ruest said. “We're looking forward to working with our partners in Mobile to make their supply chains more competitive and grow our business with them."

The Port of Mobile’s new rail facilities are scheduled for completion next year.