In 2023, the International Intermodal Center at the Port of Huntsville revealed yet another year of expansion.

The inland port in North Alabama experienced a significant increase of 24% in rail lifts compared to the previous year, totaling 27,597 lifts in 2023, up from 22,210 in 2022.

Serving as the sole inland port in North Alabama, the Port of Huntsville stands as a central hub for receiving, transferring, storing, and distributing both international and domestic cargo via air, rail, and highway, and has done so for decades.

“The International Intermodal Center at the Port of Huntsville has proudly served North Alabama and South Central Tennessee with comprehensive, high-quality intermodal services since 1986,” said Butch Roberts, CEO of the Port of Huntsville. “We are proud of our successful track record because more than 400 companies trust our capabilities to provide excellent customer service that is vital to their operations.”

Its intermodal complex incorporates modern facilities that help facilitate national connections, including a five-mile rail spur linked to the Norfolk Southern Railroad mainline, which helps connect to ports on the East and West coasts of the United States.

In a recent press statement, Norfolk Southern Vice President Intermodal & Automotive Marketing Shawn Tureman mentioned how the partnership between Norfolk and the Port of Huntsville helped produce yet another record year for the International Intermodal Center.

“The Huntsville and North Alabama community is a fast-growing part of the state and supports a number of important industries from aerospace to automotive. Our partnership with the Port of Huntsville allows us to bring Alabama and Tennessee businesses access to major U.S. seaports. Together, we are ensuring that businesses can enjoy efficient, reliable, and economical intermodal service that ensures speed to market of their products,” said Tureman.

The International Intermodal Center includes state-of-the-art amenities that include a rail cargo terminal and ramp, on-site U.S. Customs and Border Protection services, Foreign Trade Zone No. 83, and expansive air cargo warehouse and distribution facilities spanning 436,000 square feet, with an additional 35,000 square feet dedicated to cold storage.

With parallel runways measuring 12,600 feet and 10,000 feet respectively, Huntsville International Airport enables simultaneous flight operations, while its air cargo ramp accommodates parking for ten Boeing 747 aircraft side by side. Ranked 21st in the continental U.S. for international air cargo volume, the airport serves seven major cargo airlines, alongside international freight forwarders DSV and Kerry Logistics.

Roberts, speaking on behalf of the port, attributed the surge in rail traffic to strategic partnerships with 14 steamship lines and the reliable services provided by Norfolk Southern.

Noteworthy investments exceeding $70 million have been made in rail intermodal infrastructure and $230 million in air cargo infrastructure.

For 38 years, the International Intermodal Center at the Port of Huntsville has served as a vital link, connecting the burgeoning Huntsville community and the broader Tennessee Valley region with global markets. By delivering top-tier, multi-modal transportation services to a diverse regional customer base, the port has played a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and development.

“The impact of our relationships with regional government and community organizations has allowed us to work closely together to produce the kind of prosperity and economic growth that is the envy of cities across the country,” Roberts said. “We look forward to continuing our work to fuel even more expansion and jobs in the communities we serve.”