NATCHEZ, Miss. – Problems with the county-owned port’s operations could prompt industries to abandon the Mississippi River docking-and-loading facility, according to Adams County Supervisor Kevin Wilson.
Port customer BASF, which operates a chemical plant across the river in Vidalia, had international shipments delivered to the wrong Asian destinations, which Wilson said was blamed on Adams County port operators’ miscues. He said the error cost BASF $72,000.
Meeting with other county supervisors Monday, Wilson said crane breakdowns and other problems have him questioning whether the county-owned port should be privatized.
The terminal consists of two cargo docks, one liquid-transfer dock and one roll-on/roll-off site. Linerboard, plywood, lumber, structural steel, cotton, baled wood pulp, liquid petroleum products, grain and machinery components are among the cargo shipped in and out of the port.
The Board of Supervisors earlier this month met with Adams County Port Director Anthony Hauer and approved the port’s budget, which reflects a $12,000 increase from the past fiscal year. Hauer noted repairs have recently been done at the port. He also had concerns about plans the board has for the Belwood property where a levee is being built to protect the industrial site near the river port. The board later closed the public out for further discussions about the port.
Comments