UN/LOCODE: USMOB📍 United States
Port of Mobile (UN/LOCODE USMOB)
❖ Coordinates: 30.6954°N, -88.0399°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Chicago
❖ UN/LOCODE: USMOB
## About the Port
The **Port of Mobile** (UN/LOCODE: **USMOB**) is Alabama’s largest deep‑water gateway on the Gulf of Mexico. Situated at **30.6953657 ° N, ‑88.0398912 ° W** in the Central Time Zone (America/Chicago), the port sits on the navigable **Mobile River**, a natural channel that provides a minimum **draft of 45 ft (13.7 m)** at mean low water. Operated by the **Port of Mobile Authority**, the facility delivers a multimodal logistics platform that integrates marine, rail, highway, and air connections, serving a **15‑county hinterland** that encompasses the southeastern United States and the deep South interior.
Key performance indicators (2023) illustrate the port’s scale:
| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| **Total cargo throughput** | ~ 28 million metric tons |
| **Container volume** | ~ 310,000 TEU |
| **Berthing capacity** | 7 deep‑water berths (≈ 3,000 ft of quay) |
| **Rail connections** | CSX & Norfolk Southern mainlines |
| **Road links** | Interstates 10, 65, 85 & US‑43 |
The port’s strategic position—within 300 nm of the Panama Canal, the Mississippi River system, and the Atlantic seaboard—makes it a pivotal node for trans‑American trade flows, especially for bulk commodities, automotive shipments, and containerized cargo destined for the Southeast manufacturing corridor.
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## History
### Early Settlement (1711‑1880)
Mobile’s maritime legacy dates to **1711**, when French colonial administrators established the settlement of **Le Poste de la Louisiane** at the river’s mouth. The natural deep channel facilitated early export of timber, cotton, and indigo. Following the 1819 **Treaty of Washington**, the United States formally incorporated Mobile as a federal port of entry, prompting the construction of the first federal customs house (1820).
### Turn‑of‑the‑Century Expansion (1880‑1945)
The advent of **steam navigation** and the **Mobile & Ohio Railroad** (completed 1888) transformed the port into a rail‑maritime interchange. By 1918, Mobile ranked among the nation’s top **10 cotton export ports**. World War II spurred further development: the **War Department** commissioned a dry‑dock and three auxiliary berths to support the war effort, handling more than **12 million tons** of materiel annually.
### Modernization Era (1945‑2000)
Post‑war investment focused on **dredging** and **containerization**. The 1965 **Mobile River Dredging Project**, overseen by the US Army Corps of Engineers, deepened the channel to 45 ft, enabling Panamax vessels. The 1980s saw the construction of the **Mobile Terminal** (later renamed **Mobile Terminal 3**) and the adoption of **container cranes** (gantry and RTG). In 1992, the Port of Mobile Authority was established as an **independent public‑benefit corporation**, granting it operational autonomy and the ability to pursue public‑private partnerships.
### 21st‑Century Diversification (2000‑Present)
The early 2000s ushered a shift toward **automotive and bulk handling**. The **Alabama Steel Production Facility** (opened 2009) and the **Mercedes‑Benz U.S. International plant** (operational 2010) generated dedicated roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) berths. Recent projects—such as the **Mobile Deepwater Port (MDWP) expansion** (2021) and the **Alabama River Port** intermodal hub (2023)—have reinforced the port’s role as a **dual‑modal gateway** for the inland Southeast.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Marine Facilities
| Facility | Specification |
|----------|----------------|
| **Berths** | 7 deep‑water berths (2,200 – 2,800 ft each) |
| **Channel depth** | 45 ft at mean low water (maintained by routine dredging) |
| **Turning basin** | 1,200 ft diameter, suitable for vessels up to 1,000 ft LOA |
| **Container cranes** | 2 super‑post‑pandion (45 m outreach) & 3 ship‑to‑shore gantries (48 m outreach) |
| **Ro‑Ro ramps** | 2 dedicated ramps with 30 ft clearance, servicing automotive imports/exports |
| **Bulk terminals** | 2 grain elevators (30 MT capacity each) & 1 iron‑ore/coal terminal (9 MT annual) |
| **Cold‑storage** | 5,000 m³ refrigerated warehouses, compliant with USDA-APHIS standards |
The port’s **mobile riverine infrastructure** includes an **11‑mile navigable channel** with **four dredge‑maintained approach channels**, each equipped with **electronic navigation aids (e‑Aids)** and **real‑time AIS traffic monitoring**.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail**: Direct service by **CSX Transportation** (Cincinnati Subdivision) and **Norfolk Southern Railway** (Birmingham Subdivision), delivering **20‑car unit trains** to inland distribution centers.
- **Road**: Proximity to **Interstate 10 (east‑west corridor)**, **Interstate 65 (north‑south corridor)**, and **Interstate 85** provides sub‑hour access to **Birmingham, Montgomery, and the Atlanta market**.
- **Air**: The **Mobile Regional Airport (MOB)** lies 10 nm north, enabling air‑freight integration for high‑value, time‑sensitive shipments.
### Supporting Services
- **Customs & Border Protection (CBP)**: On‑site **Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)** facilities accelerate clearance times.
- **Pilotage**: Certified **U.S. Coast Guard pilots** guide vessels through the Mobile River’s tidal regime, with a **24‑hour on‑call roster**.
- **Repair & Shipbuilding**: The **Mobile Shipyard** offers dry‑dock services, hull maintenance, and conversion capabilities, serving both commercial and defense customers.
For more technical details, consult the **Port of Mobile Authority’s engineering reports** (official site)↗.
---
## Economic Importance
### Regional Impact
The Port of Mobile is a **catalyst for Alabama’s diversified economy**. According to the Alabama Department of Commerce, the port directly sustains **≈ 12,500 jobs** and indirectly supports **over 100,000 jobs** across logistics, manufacturing, and services. The resulting **annual economic output** exceeds **$28 billion**, representing **≈ 12 % of the state’s GDP**.
### Key Industries
| Industry | Primary Cargo | Contribution to Throughput |
|----------|---------------|-----------------------------|
| **Automotive** | Finished vehicles, parts | 28 % of total cargo value |
| **Steel & Metals** | Iron ore, scrap, finished steel | 22 % |
| **Agriculture** | Grain, soybeans, cotton | 15 % |
| **Forest Products** | Lumber, plywood, pulp | 12 % |
| **Chemicals** | Petrochemicals, fertilizers | 9 % |
| **Containers** | General merchandise, pallets | 14 % (TEU) |
The presence of **foreign‑direct investment (FDI)**—notably the **Mercedes‑Benz** and **Paccar** assembly plants—has anchored a **supply‑chain ecosystem** that includes Tier‑1 and Tier‑2 manufacturers, logistics providers, and ancillary services.
### Competitive Advantages
- **Depth and Vessel Size**: The 45 ft draft accommodates **post‑Panamax and some ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs)** without requiring tidal assistance.
- **Cost Efficiency**: Port fees average **$12 per TEU**, positioning Mobile among the **lowest‑cost Gulf ports** for container handling.
- **Turn‑around Time**: Average vessel dwell is **≈ 1.4 days**, outperforming regional benchmarks.
- **Policy Environment**: The port benefits from **state‑level tax incentives** and **federal maritime grants**, encouraging infrastructure upgrades and green‑port initiatives.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Domestic Trade Corridors
- **Mississippi River System**: Via the **Mobile River**, bulk commodities such as **agricultural grains** and **coal** flow from the Midwest to the Gulf for export.
- **Southeast Intermodal Network**: Direct rail links facilitate **automotive parts** transport between Mobile and factories in **Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina**.
- **Great Lakes–Gulf Corridor**: Steel and iron ore are shuttled from the **Great Lakes ports** (e.g., Duluth, Chicago) to Mobile for downstream processing.
### International Shipping Lanes
| Destination | Vessel Type | Primary Products |
|-------------|-------------|------------------|
| **Europe (Rotterdam, Antwerp)** | Container ships (8,000–10,000 TEU) | Automobiles, steel, finished goods |
| **Caribbean & Central America** | Ro‑Ro & General cargo | Vehicles, construction materials |
| **Asia (China, South Korea)** | Container ships (10,000 TEU) | Grain, petroleum coke, chemicals |
| **South America (Brazil, Argentina)** | Bulk carriers (30,000 DWT) | Soybeans, corn, coal |
| **Domestic U.S. Gulf Coast** | Short‑sea container and tanker | Petroleum products, refined chemicals |
The port’s **container throughput** is dominated by **automotive imports (≈ 45 % of TEU)**, reflecting the high demand for consumer vehicles in the Southeast market. **Bulk cargo**—primarily **iron ore and coal**—feeds the region’s steel mills, while **agricultural exports** head to Asian and Latin American buyers under long‑term contracts.
### Emerging Trade Opportunities
- **Renewable Energy Components**: The upcoming **Alabama Clean Energy Hub** seeks to import **wind turbine parts** and **solar panels**, leveraging Mobile’s Ro‑Ro capabilities.
- **Cold‑Chain Logistics**: Expansion of refrigerated storage aims to capture **perishable food exports** to the Middle East, given the port’s proximity to the **Gulf of Mexico** shipping lanes.
Future investments, such as the **$150 million Mobile Deepwater Port Phase 2 expansion**, are slated to add **two additional berths** and **increase draft to 50 ft**, positioning the port for **next‑generation ultra‑large vessels** and reinforcing its role as a **gateway for trans‑Atlantic and trans‑Pacific trade**.
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Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USMOB
Country
United States
Province / Region
Alabama
Latitude
30.695366
Longitude
-88.039891
Timezone
America/Chicago
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Mobile?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Mobile is USMOB.
Where is Port of Mobile located?
The Port of Mobile is located in United States, Alabama. Its coordinates are 30.6954°N, -88.0399°E.
What time zone is Port of Mobile in?
Port of Mobile operates in the America/Chicago time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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