The Port of Huntsville, Ala., on April 3 reported that 2024 was the second consecutive year of cargo operations growth and the best year since 2008 for rail lifts at its International Intermodal Center (IIC), which is served by Norfolk Southern (NS).
There were 22.3% more rail lifts in 2024 (33,745) than in 2023 (27,597). The IIC on March 19, 2025, surpassed a historic milestone of 1 million lifts, according to the Port of Huntsville, a North Alabama inland port facility that comprises four operating entities (ICC, Huntsville International Airport/HSV, Jetplex Industrial Park and Huntsville International Spaceport) and four contract operations (Foreign Trade Zone No. 83, a fixed base operator, Four Points by Sheraton hotel and Sunset Landing Golf Course).
“More than 400 companies trust our capabilities to provide timely and economical service that is vital to their operations,” Port of Huntsville Board Chair Joey Ceci said. “Phenomenal, double-digit growth like we have seen for the past two years validates this for us and encourages us to be an even better partner in the years to come.”
“North Alabama continues to emerge as one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions—with thriving industries from aerospace to automotive—and our results in 2024 highlight sustained momentum despite global supply chain disruptions,” added Shawn Tureman, Vice President of Automotive and Intermodal Marketing for NS. “Building on a record-breaking year, our strengthened partnership with the Port of Huntsville is giving Alabama and Tennessee businesses seamless access to major U.S. seaports, and we’ve invested in enhancing our service product in this region. As we move into 2025, we’re committed to delivering more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective intermodal solutions that accelerate speed to market and drive sustained regional growth.”
“Thanks to Norfolk Southern service and our collaboration with 14 steamship companies, rail traffic has grown steadily year-over-year,” Port of Huntsville CEO Butch Roberts said. “We have spent $230 million on air freight infrastructure and over $70 million on rail intermodal infrastructure. A prosperous future for HSV is ensured by these developments, as well as the availability of first-rate facilities including a depot storage yard and U.S. Customs on site.”
