Posted on May 21, 2025
Executives of premier diversified port operator and supply chain logistics provider Ports America are eyeing significant opportunities at and around U.S. Gulf ports, including for refrigerated goods and for commerce with nearby countries.
“In general, we are seeing major opportunities for reefer cargo and nearshoring efforts,” according to comments provided the American Journal of Transportation, attributable to the Ports America team.
“There is a lot of available real estate along our Gulf operations for warehousing and ro/ro (roll-on/roll-off cargo) lots,” the team added.
Company officials are particularly focused upon enhancements at the Mississippi State Port Authority’s Port of Gulfport, pointing to investments by both Ports America and the state authority, integrating rail and sea transport, reducing transit times and streamlining supply chains.
Projects cited include addition of 1,800 feet of rail track within Terminal 4, thereby averting U.S. 90 traffic concerns while furnishing ability to serve 10,000-foot-long trains directly on the terminal, where Ports America provides swift turnaround times and secure storage. Also, by summer’s end, the Port of Gulfport is to receive its fourth ship-to-shore crane.
An example of nearshoring, Crowley was anticipating late May launch of a new weekly container service directly connecting Gulfport with Tuxpan, in the Mexican state of Veracruz, which, according to Ports America, will streamline cargo movement between Mexico, Central America and North America.
At the Port of New Orleans, known for short as Port NOLA, Ports America is augmenting $20 million in port authority investments with more than $2 million in recent equipment and infrastructure improvements to create further efficiencies. And, although not mentioned by the Ports America team, the Morristown, New Jersey-headquartered terminal operator is partnering in development of Port NOLA’s massive Louisiana International Terminal container facility endeavor.
The Ports America team also noted $70 million in West End cargo complex upgrades being made by the Port of Galveston, Texas, commenting, “Ports America has the equipment to support such expansion,” adding that company officials see “lots of growth opportunity in this market, especially in nearshoring from Mexico.”
Ports America’s 11 operations in the U.S. Gulf region include those in Gulfport, Mississippi; Louisiana locations in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Port Allen; and Texas facilities in Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Freeport, Galveston, Houston, Port Arthur and Seabrook. All told, Ports America’s U.S. operations span more than 70 locations across more than 30 ports.
