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Yesterday, Watco Cos. L.L.C. announced it launched rail-car handling services at the Port of San Antonio’s East Kelly Railport. Watco now occupies 20 acres at the 350-acre railport, which boosted volume in fiscal-year 2011 to 4,600 rail cars compared with FY2010’s 2,600 cars.

To meet growing demand for the railport’s service, Watco plans to build 15,500 feet of new track, adding to the facility’s 20,000 feet of existing track. The new infrastructure will help enhance car handling services for railport customers, which include warehousing, distribution, transloading, manufacturing and trucking operations, Watco officials said in a prepared statement.

Established in 2007, the railport houses various facilities, including those operated by rail-car builder The Greenbrier Cos.; transload firm RLI Logistics, which draws business from projects associated with the Eagle Ford Shale; and trucking firm Cornell Carriers, which also accommodates shale projects.

Watco also will interchange customers’ cars via BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Railroad interchanges.

“Port San Antonio is an ideal platform to establish our south Texas operations and showcase the range of Watco services — from rail development and maintenance to supporting customers’ day-to-day operations,” said Amy Parady, vice president of sales and marketing for Watco’s Gulf region.