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6/12/2023
The Diamond State Port Corp., which oversees public-private partnerships at the Port of Wilmington, Delaware, has chosen Enstructure to take over port operations.
The Massachusetts-based shipping company is succeeding the previous operator, Gulftainer, which failed to secure long-term financing for a new shipping terminal at the site of a former chemical production facility, Delaware Public Media reported. Gulftainer had operated the port since 2018 under a 50-year lease costing at least $3 million a year, but failed to make lease payments for more than a year, according to the State Legislature.
Enstructure is a dry, liquid and breakbulk terminal operator that owns and operates 21 marine terminals, warehouses, cold storage and logistics assets in the eastern United States, according to the company's website. The new lease's annual cost has yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, Alabama has provided $20 million in funding for the McDuffie Coal Terminal at the Port of Mobile. The funds will be used to buy coal handling equipment to improve terminal efficiency, port officials said in a press release. McDuffie is one of the largest coal terminals in the world, according to the port's website.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey also signed into law increasing current state port incentives to provide greater benefits to Alabama ports and their business partners. The legislation increases port-use tax credits to encourage manufacturing, warehousing and distribution companies to increase their cargo volumes being shipped through Alabama ports.
"Every day is a competition with other states and countries to attract high-caliber businesses. This [legislative] session’s investments in the port will help our state compete regionally and globally," said Alabama Port Authority Director and CEO John Driscoll in a prepared statement.
The Wilmington port is served by Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX; the Mobile port is served by NS, CSX, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, CN, BNSF Railway Co., Alabama and Gulf Coast Railway, CG Railway and Alabama Export Railroad.