The facility “is a win for the partners, the city, the state, the Gulf Coast region and the industry as a whole,” said Eric Sisco, President of APM Terminals Americas.
Construction of the new terminal was completed September on 22, 2008 and the first vessel was handled on October 20.
MCT is located at the intersection of five Class 1 Railroads, has immediate access to Interstates 10 and 65, and is located 30 miles (48 km) from the open ocean. Its start-up capacity of 350,000 teu annually will be increased in phases, reaching 800,000 teu at full build out.
The project, which also includes a intermodal rail transfer facility and distribution complex, represents a total investment of approximately $300 million. According to the company, MCT currently has more than 300 employees, could support over 1,300 jobs when fully built.
