The water runs a little deeper now in Mobile Bay—fifty feet, to be exact.
That milestone became official on October 13 as local, state, and federal leaders celebrated the completion of the Mobile Harbor Deepening Project.
The Alabama Port Authority hosted the ceremony, marking the culmination of years of planning, funding, and construction aimed at securing Mobile’s place among the nation’s top deepwater ports.
Two Decades in the Making
The project’s roots go back more than twenty years, when then-Senator Richard Shelby visited Singapore and saw firsthand how harbor expansion opened global trade opportunities.
That experience shaped his vision for Alabama’s future.
Through years of authorizations, funding approvals, and engineering work, the goal remained steady: to make Mobile Harbor capable of handling the world’s largest cargo ships.
The completed deepening now allows vessels from the Panama Canal to reach Mobile faster, carrying more goods at lower costs.
Building an Economic Powerhouse
Alabama Port Authority Board Chair Zeke Smith described the project as a partnership between state and federal efforts.
The Rebuild Alabama Act—supported by Governor Kay Ivey—covered the state’s share, while federal appropriations ensured progress continued without pause.
Senator Katie Britt, once Shelby’s chief of staff, highlighted how his relentless advocacy positioned the state for global competition.
The new 50-foot channel brings larger vessels, greater shipping capacity, and the kind of logistics efficiency that attracts long-term investment.
Ripples That Reach Every Industry
The benefits extend well beyond the docks.
A deeper harbor means lower shipping costs for exporters, more options for importers, and a stronger supply chain feeding industries across Alabama—from aerospace firms in Huntsville to manufacturers along the Gulf Coast.
APM Terminals Mobile has already poured over $350 million into cranes and yard infrastructure to keep pace with future demand.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, recognized for their work on the project, emphasized that the deeper channel improves both safety and efficiency for vessels transiting the bay.
A Celebration on the Water
To close the ceremony, guests boarded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers survey vessel Dam Row for a ribbon cutting on the water—symbolically opening a new chapter in Mobile’s maritime history.
Former Senator Shelby called the port “a jewel” and encouraged leaders to keep building on it.
As cranes rise and cargo moves faster, the deeper channel signals more than progress in depth—it’s a sign of growth, resilience, and pride in a region built on connection and trade.
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