By Alabama Public Radio
Mobile, AL – State Docks Director Jimmy Lyons says he will recommend new fees when the Alabama State Port Authority meets next week in Mobile. The proposed increases would help cover the cost of federally mandated security upgrades. Lyons says the fees could generate up to one-point-two million dollars a year. If approved, the new fee would cover about half of the costs anticipated with the security upgrades. That would also mean shippers could end up paying more to use the State Docks. An organization that represents owners and operators of tugboats, barges and towboats opposes the suggested fees.