Professional Engineering + Management Services for the Port of Gulfport
Driving Economic Growth
As the third busiest port in the Gulf of Mexico and the second largest importer of green fruits in the nation, the Port of Gulfport is a critical driver of South Mississippi’s economy. Since 2008, more than $500 billion has been invested in expanding and modernizing port facilities, creating hundreds of jobs and supporting a diverse tenant base. To meet these growing demands, the Mississippi State Port Authority selected Digital Engineering (DE) to provide professional engineering and management services on an on-call basis.
Client
Mississippi State Port Authority
Project Location
Gulfport, Mississippi
Services
Program Management
Digital Engineering Powers Port Growth
DE’s scope of work encompassed a broad range of marine and port engineering services, including planning and studies for marine terminal development, conceptual layouts and design for container, bulk, and breakbulk facilities, and land use planning for maritime and non-maritime environments. Additional responsibilities included performing the traffic study, developing design criteria for maritime structures, performing operational analyses, conducting environmental assessments and assisting in the development of the Environmental Assessment document, and preparing reports, schedules, and cost estimates to support strategic decision-making. This ongoing support has allowed the Port to sustain efficient operations while planning for long-term growth.
Port Security and Rail Access
In addition, DE led the design of a secure, rail-served facility to enhance the Port’s capabilities for federal operations. The project extended 1,600 feet of Kansas City Southern (KCS) rail to a new 10-acre paved lot, splitting into dual spurs for simultaneous loading operations. The site was designed with high-security fencing, lighting, utilities, and provisions for a future guard shack. Stormwater management features—including slotted drains, a detention pond, and regraded ditches—redirected runoff away from flood-prone Turkey Creek and into the Brickyard Bayou drainage basin, meeting the City of Gulfport’s strict drainage requirements
Collaborative Port Development
DE coordinated closely with KCS, City engineers, and regulatory agencies to secure wetlands permits, Section 401 Water Quality Certification, and community input through public hearings. This combined effort highlights DE’s ability to deliver both comprehensive port development services and mission-critical infrastructure, balancing the needs of commercial tenants, community stakeholders, and federal partners.
