Port of Mobile Opens Deepened 50-Foot Channel for Large Vessels

The Alabama Port Authority (APA) has opened the Port of Mobile’s newly deepened 50-foot ship channel, making it the deepest container port on the Gulf of Mexico. Within hours of certification by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Mobile Bar Pilots, the first vessel docked to load cargo.

The $366 million state–federal partnership began in 2021 and was completed in 2025. The project increases capacity for larger ocean vessels and reduces shipping costs by improving access for deeper-draft ships.

Work continues on widening the turning basin near the container terminal, with funding supported by the 2019 Rebuild Alabama Act and federal contributions.

The Port of Mobile handles over $500 billion in annual trade and supports more than 150,000 jobs. It is served by major freight railroads including Norfolk Southern, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, CSX, CN, and BNSF, along with four short lines.