Dive Brief:
- Mitsubishi Motors North America has entered an agreement with port operator AMPORTS and Port Freeport in Texas to gain greater access to the Gulf and Midwest areas, according to a July 7 press release.
- Under the deal, the automotive company has selected Port Freeport to import additional automotive volumes from Japan to the Texas Gulf Coast, and drive faster vehicle delivery to its dealer partners, Jeremy Barnes, Mitsubishi Motors North America’s senior director of communications and events, told Supply Chain Dive in an email.
- Because of Port Freeport’s access to Midwest automotive markets, Mitsubishi Motors can reduce inland transportation distances, improve delivery times and support a more flexible supply chain, per the release.
Dive Insight:
Mitsubishi Motors continues to strengthen its U.S. distribution network for its evolving auto supply chain.
Transporting autos comes with its own complexities because they are large and a challenge to move, Barnes said. Building efficiencies into the system can help Mitsubishi Motors meet customers’ expectations, he said.
“These capabilities are provided through the Port’s infrastructure and its tenants and industry partners, and can include vessel operations, terminal services, vehicle processing, storage, and truck and rail connectivity,” Barnes said.
AMPORTS’s role involves stevedoring teams to receive the vehicles from the auto company, transition the cargo directly to on-site vehicle processing operations where vehicles get finalized for distribution. Together these services help reduce operational complexity and enhance coordination across the supply chain, per the release.
Mitsubishi Motors commenced operations at Port Freeport on April 28, with more than 500 vehicles arriving that month. Operations have run smoothly since the partnership began, Barnes said.
Auto imports continue to grow across several U.S. ports. One example is the Port Charleston, which plans to enhance its rail infrastructure site and vessel parking areas at its North Charleston Terminal to support the state’s growing auto sector.
