NATCHEZ — Genesis Energy announced Tuesday plans to more than double its railcar capacity at its terminal in the Natchez-Adams County Port.

The expansion will create approximately 20 new jobs, including 15 equipment operators and five professional staff.

The announcement comes as the company finalizes its first phase — which includes 40 railcar spots — in Natchez. That phase is scheduled to be completed in June, while company officials said the second phase — which will add 60 more railcar spots and additional heated tanks — is expected to be open and operating toward the end of the year.

Genesis Energy’s Natchez terminal is for the loading and unloading of bitumen products that have been shipped by rail from Canada. Once unloaded from the railcars, the bitumen is shipped by barge to the Gulf Coast refinery market. When Genesis broke ground last August, company officials also stated that plans included eventually reloading the railcars with products from the Gulf refineries that was needed in Canada.

The Natchez expansion is part of a $75 million total investment the company is making that includes the construction of a train loading facility near Douglas, Wyo.

Natchez Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ said the new local investment will come to approximately $30 million.

The investment in the first phase of the Natchez project was approximately $20 million.

“We are really excited and appreciative of Genesis continuing to make significant investments in their Natchez terminal and having confidence in our port, our rail system and our workforce,” Russ said.

Local commitment to the project includes an ad valorem tax exemption on new machinery ad equipment, and the provision from Adams County of an easement for Genesis Energy and Natchez Railway to accommodate the expansion.

Russ said those who are interested in jobs at Genesis Energy’s Natchez location should apply through the WIN Job Center.