Ports of Operations
Andalusian Energy plans to launch Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) shipping operations in Q1 2025 from the Port of Mobile, U.S. to Puerto Cortes in Honduras and Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. The Port of Mobile is second fastest-growing port in the United States, according to Forbes Magazine.
The Port of Mobile is currently expanding its world-class container terminal, operated by APM Terminals. The facility presently boasts 168-acres with six container cranes. When complete in 2025, the enlarged container yard will feature up to 208-acres and as many as 10 container cranes. The expansion includes modernization of its ICTF (Intermodal Container Transfer Facility) by adding 6,000-feet of rail siding and two cantilever RMGs, serving five Class 1 railroads with direct two and a half-days service to Chicago – fastest railroad Windy City connectivity in the U.S. By the end of 2024, Dallas and Kansas City will have direct service from Mobile via the CPCK railroad.
APM Terminals is adding 6,000-feet of new rail siding, creating a total of 12,000-feet of working track within its ICTF. APMT’s efficient rail operation connects five Class-1 railroads to all of North America. Andalusian’s compressor and filling station is situated in the heart of the ICTF at the terminus of the port’s new fly-over bridge, directly connecting it with APMT’s growing container terminal.
A $366 million harbor deepening project is also underway in Mobile, scheduled for completion in Q1 2025, bringing the Port of Mobile into the big leagues of U.S. container ports at 15.3 meters (50 feet) of draft. And an innovative $38 million “flyover” bridge is also under construction, connecting the bigger and more efficient ICTF with the newly expanded container yard, enhancing on-dock rail capacities by the end of 2024.
In Guatemala, Andalusian is cooperating with Puerto Barrios to take advantage of long-planned port improvements there. Located on the Gulf of Honduras, Puerto Barrios is building a $100 million port expansion to reorganize and expand its container yard to 13 hectares (32.1-acres) and enhance dock utilization with efforts to deepen alongside draft to 45-feet 10-inches (13.7 meters). Puerto Barrios provides port services for Guatemala City and is independently owned by a partnership of the Brazilian Cutrale family and the Safra Group.
Puerto Barrios is investing $100 million to organize and expand it’s container facility to improve efficiency.
Puerto Cortes is Honduras’ most important port and the nation’s largest container facility (as well as the largest port in northern Central America) with expansion plans of its own. An ongoing expansion of the port’s primary container berth includes a 200-metter extension, featuring the addition of 10 RTGs (rubber-tired gantry cranes) and an additional rail-mounted container crane for a total of three, with another planned by 2027. The port’s current 96-acre container yard will add 7.5 acres (3-hectares) with a heavy-duty foundation throughout with durable surface pavement, providing for around-the-clock port operations in all weather conditions.
In Honduras, Puerto Cortes is only 40 kilometers from Choloma where Andalusian has entered into an initial 15-year CNG offtake agreement with an Independent Power Provider (IPP) serving leading textile manufacturers within its affiliate Free Trade Zone industrial and technology parks.
Andalusian will utilize this array of modern port improvements to serve its growing number of Central American customers in Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador.
In Honduras, Puerto Cortes is expanding and improving its container yard, with specific facilities to accommodate Andalusian Energy’s compressed natural gas containers, serving the regional independent power providers.