CN signed a memorandum of understanding with the Alabama State Port Authority to increase supply chain efficiency and market share in North America. The agreement is similar to ones CN has made with major Canadian ports and terminals, and aims to extend the reach of the Port of Mobile to take advantage of new container rail traffic after the Panama Canal expansion in 2016. APM Terminals also signed on to the agreement and operates the deep-sea container terminal at the Port of Mobile, which is adjacent to a new $32 million intermodal rail facility under construction and set to open in 2016.