Case Study: Volkswagen Awards Multi-Year Stevedoring Contract to Amports Subsidiary
Location: Freeport Terminal, Texas
Project Facts
Customer: Volkswagen Group of America
Date: July 2026
Services Provided: Stevedoring Operations
Business Need
As Volkswagen expanded activity through its new Gulf Coast import hub at Port Freeport, the company needed a trusted stevedoring partner capable of delivering safe, efficient, and reliable vessel operations while maintaining the quality standards expected throughout its supply chain. The opportunity represented a critical link between vessel arrival and vehicle processing operations conducted by Volkswagen at its Freeport facility.
Volkswagen selected an AMPORTS subsidiary and member of the West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA) to support these operations under a multi-year stevedoring agreement that commenced in July 2026. The award reflected confidence in the subsidiary’s operational capabilities, safety culture, and commitment to service excellence.
The Solution
Amports leveraged its growing stevedoring expertise and established presence at Port Freeport to provide dedicated vessel discharge services for Volkswagen imports.
Earlier in 2026, Amports expanded its Gulf Coast stevedoring capabilities through the acquisition of the former Red Hook ConRo Terminal operations in Freeport, strengthening its ability to deliver integrated port services across major U.S. automotive gateways. The experienced local workforce, combined with Amports‘ focus on safety, operational discipline, and customer service, positioned the team to support Volkswagen’s supply chain requirements from day one.
Unlike other Amports operations where the company may provide vehicle processing services, the scope in Freeport is focused specifically on stevedoring. This role places Amports at the first critical stage of the vehicle journey, ensuring imported vehicles are safely and efficiently discharged from vessels and transferred into Volkswagen’s downstream logistics network.
The Results
The successful launch of Volkswagen stevedoring operations at Port Freeport marked an important milestone in Amports’ continued expansion of its national stevedoring platform.
Most importantly, the award demonstrated Volkswagen’s trust in the Amports organization to manage a critical component of its supply chain. By selecting the Amports subsidiary as its stevedoring partner, Volkswagen gained a team committed to safety, reliability, operational excellence, and careful vehicle handling.
The agreement also strengthened Amports‘ presence in the Gulf Coast automotive market while creating the foundation for a long-term partnership focused on supporting Volkswagen’s continued growth through Port Freeport.
