Bay Line Railroad to continue serving Enviva at Florida port

Wood pellet producer Enviva Partners LP today announced its contracts with the Panama City Port Authority, Bay Line Railroad LLC and SSA Gulf Inc. have been extended through 2023.

The commitment to the railroad, port and Northern Florida region supports operations at the company's Cottondale, Florida, facility, which can produce 720,000 metric tons of pellets per year, Enviva officials said in a press release.

The company plans to continue shipping its products through Port Panama City, using two to three ships a month carrying about 30,000 metric tons each. The Bay Line Railroad will continue to move about 7,200 rail cars annually for Enviva, while SSA Gulf will continue to provide stevedoring, loading and unloading services.

All pellets produced at the Cottondale plant are exported from the port to international customers. The pellets are used as a renewable energy resource at power plants to help reduce carbon emissions.

"We are pleased that Enviva has committed to continue shipping wood pellets from Port Panama City," said Wayne Stubbs, the executive director of the Panama City Port Authority. "The wood pellet industry provides tremendous economic benefits throughout the region."

Owned by Genesee & Wyoming Inc., the Bay Line Railroad operates 108 miles of track between Abbeville, Alabama, and Panama City, and interchanges with CSX and the Hilton & Albany Railroad.