August 2012 - Alabama State Port Authority

The Port of Mobile continues to thrive
and expand from the McDuffie Coal
Terminal to the south, to Austal USA
across from downtown Mobile, north to
the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge.
Seabulk Towing: Providing Service
Excellence Through Safety
the Port’s hurricane preparedness plan went into action,
five days before the hurricane was due to hit along the
central Gulf Coast. For safety reasons, Port officials
coordinated with the contractor to place the poles in a
nearby storage warehouse until after the storm passed,
then had them brought out and erected. “It’s better to be
safe than sorry,” said Williams.
More than 70 individuals, including representatives from
42 construction firms, attended the pre-bid meeting for
phase 1 of the renovations. The bid notification was
advertised in the Press-Register and on the Port’s website.
Additionally, Williams emailed all eligible contractors.
While the consultant’s estimate of the project was close
to $6 million, it came in at $3 million with the contract
going to Ben M. Radcliff Contractor Inc. (BMR) of Mobile.
“BMR is a good contractor and Thompson Engineering is a
good consulting firm,” said Williams. “It’s been a smooth
project, and I believe it is due to good communication
between them and the Port’s General Cargo Intermodal
and Maintenance departments.”
said Williams. The Port is installing intermittent bents and
pilings between the existing bents and adding 10 inches
to the top of the pier. This will help to strengthen the
deck in preparation for handling heavier cargo. The new
rail tracks will transition up to the raised deck. Another
aspect of the project is the installation of a new fender
system. The time frame is 350 days, with an anticipated
finish next fall, at an estimated cost of $7 million.
Seabulk Towing is an established leader in harbor ship assist operations
and offshore towing services. Seabulk Towing operates a fleet of tugs primarily
assisting crude, petroleum and chemical product tankers, barges, container
and other cargo vessels, and military vessels in docking and undocking, as
well as providing LNG terminal support services.
The next step in the renovation has already begun. “Phase
2 is reinforcing the deck to accommodate heavier cargo,”
Ship Assist & Towing Operations
www.seabulktowing.com
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Alabama Seaport • August 2012
Alabama Seaport • August 2012
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Port EvE rgladE s | MobilE b ay | Port CanavE ral | l akE CharlE s | t a MPa b ay/ManatEE | Port a rthur
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