Peter T. Leach | Jul 22, 2011 3:05PM EDT
The largest export coal shipment ever handled by the Port of Mobile sailed early Friday, highlighting the Alabama State Port Authority’s recent investments into the McDuffie Coal Terminal.
A post-Panamax dry bulk vessel was loaded with 129,016 short tons of export coal, which surpassed the previous record from the year 2,000 by 3,248 short tons.
The Liberian-flagged E. R. Boston sailed at a surveyed draft of 44.979 feet bound for Immingham, England, bringing McDuffie’s total export volume handled to date on the fiscal year to 7,589,753 short tons.
“Our investments at the Port of Mobile to handle larger post-Panamax sized vessels are beginning to pay off for our shippers by providing customers with economies of scale shipments along with new harbor and terminal capabilities,” said Jimmy Lyons, the port’s director and CEO.
Mobile’s 45-foot channel and new turning basin, along with McDuffie’s new infrastructure, post-Panamax cranes and inland transportation connections, can handle increased cargo volumes to fill larger class of ships.
The E. R. Boston, a 178,978 deadweight ton Capesize bulker, measures 958 feet in length and 148 feet wide. The Alabama State Port Authority served as the terminal operator loading the vessel in a little over three days at a load rate of 1,596 short tons per hour.
-- Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @petertleach.
