The Alabama State Port Authority herald the start of a new service and its first Post-Panamax sized container ship as another key step in expanding container carrier options for its shippers. The MSC LAURA docked recently at APM Terminals Mobile and is the first vessel in Mediterranean Shipping’s weekly direct call service to Mobile to/from the North European ports of Antwerp, Felixstowe, Bremerhaven and Le Havre. In addition to the European service (SATL), shippers out of Mobile can take advantage of the vessel rotation calling Freeport, which provides multiple global port destinations. The MSC LAURA is an 85,928 DWT measuring 984.25 ft. in length overall (LOA) with a beam of 131.23 ft. Norton Lilly International served as the vessel’s agent. APM Terminals Mobile served as the terminal operator and holds a gross production rate per crane of 35 Gross Moves Per Hour. Jimmy Lyons, director and chief executive for the Port Authority lauded the new service as instrumental in expanding efficient and cost effective shipping options for its growing service region. Lyons noted infrastructure, investments, technology and a growing cargo base make the Port of Mobile an attractive option to the container lines. “We are extremely pleased with the ease and efficiency this vessel was handled at the Port of Mobile,” said Lyons. The Port Authority, and its partners, in recent years had invested over $340 million in a state-of-the-art container terminal and turning basin capable of handling the larger, Post-Panamax sized vessels on Mobile’s 45 foot draft channel. “The MSC LAURA call clearly removes any doubt of our capabilities in handling the larger container ships,” said Lyons. “And our partner, APM Terminals, quickly dispatched the ship’s cargo demonstrating why they are the best in container terminal operations.” Headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, APM Terminals is the world’s leading port and inland operator with 62 port facilities in 36 countries and providing Inland Services operations in over 150 locations in 46 countries.