Facility Expansion: Alabama, Everett, Gulfport

Overhead bridge crane loading coiled steel on to a flat-bed trailer in the new Alabama Steel terminal at the Port of Mobile.

Photo/Alabama State Port Authority

Everett Port Commission Approves Binding Site Plan for Mukilteo Tank Farm

The Everett Port Commission has approved a binding site plan for the former U.S. Air Force Mukilteo Tank Farm. That allows the port to execute property conveyance agreements with other jurisdictions.

The port commission accepted transfer of the tank farm from the Air Force in 2013 (Advisory, September 23, 2013).

The port has been working with the city of Mukilteo, city of Everett, Washington State Ferries, Sound Transit and Community Transit for more than a decade to secure the 20-acre tank farm for transportation and community access purposes.

The commission’s action divides the tank farm property into legal lots that will enable the port to retransfer all the various segments of the property to other stakeholders for a multimodal facility, including a relocated ferry terminal, new rail station, public amenities, public access and waterfront beautification efforts.

The port has been working with Washington State Ferries, the City of Mukilteo, Sound Transit and the Tulalip Tribes to retransfer the property to allow waterfront redevelopment to occur. In 2014, the port commission approved a transfer agreement with the Tulalip Tribes, subject to certain conditions, including approval of this binding site plan.

Agreements with the other stakeholders are currently being finalized and will be brought forward individually for the port commission’s consideration. The port expects all transfer agreements to be complete in 2015.

Mississippi Port Authority Purchases Ingalls Gulfport Facility, Signs Lease

The board of commissioners for the Mississippi State Port Authority has approved the purchase of the Huntington Ingalls Gulfport Composite Facility, bringing to fruition a long-range vision for an inland port as an extension of the Port of Gulfport.

The facility, which manufactured composites used in the construction of naval vessels, was closed by Huntington Ingalls in September 2013.

The 116-acre location will increase capacity for the port by offering additional laydown area, rail access, and barge connections for current and future tenants. The purchase includes what the port describes as "an inventory of manufacturing equipment items."

The port authority has already signed up a tenant for the property, offshore energy servicer and supplier Topship LLC, an Edison Chouest Offshore affiliate. Details on that project will be made available at a later date.

"Today is another significant step in progress as we continue to position the Port of Gulfport to successfully recruit companies to Mississippi to create high-quality jobs in the Gulf Coast Region," said Port Authority CEO Jonathan Daniels. "The addition of this facility to the Port of Gulfport’s infrastructure provides significant opportunities for diversifying the current tenant and cargo mix. This acquisition was a key driver in securing our new partnership with Top Ship, and we look forward to an announcement on that project in the near future."

The facility is located on the Industrial Canal, approximately five miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, and has nearby rail and interstate access. For years, the long range vision for the port, and indeed the original Action Plan that created the Port Restoration Project after Hurricane Katrina, contemplated an inland port.

"We are excited to establish our new business affiliate, Topship, LLC, in the state of Mississippi. Development of the port's inland port facility, and our long term lease of the property, provides a unique opportunity to seamlessly link to the development at the restored Port of Gulfport," said Gary Chouest, CEO, Edison Chouest Offshore. "As we have already learned in the operation of our Gulf Ship facility, the Gulfport region will provide us access to a quality workforce. We appreciate the cooperation and support of the Port of Gulfport, state and local officials who are providing a business friendly environment to grow our company."

The Port of Gulfport is undergoing a $570 million restoration and expansion project, which will create an additional 50 acres of developable property at the port. Major site preparation and infrastructure contracts have been signed and are underway. Three gantry cranes have been ordered for delivery in 2016. The Gulfport ship channel has been restored to its authorized depth of 36 feet.