MOBILE, Ala. — The Alabama State Port Authority this week announced its financial and tonnage results for fiscal year 2014 ending 30 September.  James K. Lyons, chief executive officer, announced the Authority earned record revenues of $162.3 million and handled a record 29.1 million tons of cargo through the public terminals.

The results marked a second consecutive year for record revenue reports.

“We are really proud of these results, and great deal of credit falls to our employees for consistently delivering superior customer service,” said Lyons.    

The Port Authority’s record tonnage and revenues were principally attributed to increased volumes in steel, export coal and containers. In Fiscal Year 2014, the general cargo division ended the year with a record 7.3 million tons of iron, steel and forest products handled.

Steel posted the largest volume just over 5.0 million tons marking a 40 percent increase over the previous year.

The Port Authority’s bulk division reported a total of 18.2 million tons of coal handled in Fiscal Year 2014, with export coal representing a record 13.7 million tons. The jump in export coal was attributed to increased demand globally for Alabama mined metallurgical coal.

Another performing division included the Authority’s Terminal Railway (TASD), which handled 154,670 revenue rail cars through the short-line’s switch and terminal yards representing nearly a four percent gain over the previous year.

A large increase in volume occurred in containerized moves. Fiscal Year 2014 container volumes totaled 237,266 TEUs, showing a 10 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. Automotive components, frozen poultry, forest products and consumer goods were the leading commodities imported and exported through the container terminal.  

Overall growth in the Authority’s general cargo, bulk and containerized cargo volumes is linked to capital investments and continued growth in manufacturing output. 

“The Port Authority’s investments in new facilities, Post-Panamax cranes, and information technology, coupled with our excellent inland rail, highway and waterway connections, have helped expand the Port Authority’s business and afforded efficiencies to our customers,” said Lyons.  “With continued investment in warehouses and intermodal rail, we believe the Port of Mobile will be well positioned to offer competitive service into new markets.”

The Alabama State Port Authority owns and operates the State of Alabama’s public, deep-water port facilities at the Port of Mobile handling over 29 million tons of cargo annually and generating over 127,500 direct and indirect jobs and over $18.7 billion in economic value. The Authority’s container, general cargo and bulk facilities have immediate access to two interstate systems, five Class 1 railroads, and nearly 15,000 miles of inland waterway connections.