Watco Transloading acquires Oklahoma facilities

Watco Cos. subsidiary Watco Transloading LLC announced last week that it has acquired a stevedoring and transloading business in Oklahoma, as well as a 12-acre rail-served transload facility in the state.

Watco acquired the transload facility in Oklahoma City from Base Inc. Doing business as Watco Terminal & Port Services, the rail-served facility handles construction-industry materials including bricks, shingles and lumber, according to a Watco press release.

At the facility, materials are loaded from rail to truck or to storage. Additionally, the facility has taken on frac-sand business as a result of an acquisition. Frac sand is brought in via rail and loaded into trucks for delivery to area drilling companies, Watco officials said.

"We're excited to work with another Watco property, the Stillwater Central Railroad, to serve our current customers and to bring in new customers and commodities to boost the Oklahoma City economy," said Terminal Manager Derek Mooy.

Meanwhile, Watco Transloading also announced it acquired a stevedoring and transloading business, located in the Port of Catoosa, from Tuloma Stevedoring Inc. Along with the acquisition, Watco executed a long-term operating agreement with the Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority and will be the exclusive operator of the port's main dock.

Doing business as Watco Terminal & Port Services, the barge- and rail-served facility handles break bulk and project cargo for Oklahoma and Tulsa-based industries.