Container Barge Service: New York/New Jersey

New York/New Jersey: Port Authority Awarded Federal Grant to Improve Cross-Harbor Container Barge Operations

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey will make investments to improve the barge program that transports containers between Red Hook in Brooklyn and Port Newark, under a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD).

The grant will help the Port Authority build on its existing barge program that last year moved 35,000 containers – resulting in 60,000 fewer trucks on the region’s roadways and eliminating 1,600 tons of CO2 related to the barge service.

The, MARAD grant of $1,632,296 will be supplemented with matching funds from the Port Authority and other sources. It will support these initiatives:

• The creation of the New York Harbor Crane Operators Training Center, including the purchase of two simulators to train members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) on operating the newest generation of ship-to-shore and yard cranes, thus optimizing the loading and discharge of container barges. The award of $492,480 will be matched by $328,320 committed by both the New York Shipping Association and Port Newark Container Terminal.

• Enhancing the fender system at Berth 6 in Port Newark, specifically the Red Hook Barge Terminal, to help protect both Port Authority-owned barges and the berths from damage during docking and undocking operations. The award of $157,500 will be matched by $192,500 from the Port Authority.

• The purchase of two new high-tech machines to augment existing container handling equipment at Red Hook Container Terminal. The award of $982,316 will be matched with $327,439 from Red Hook Container Terminal.

"The work of our New Jersey-New York Port Congressional delegation and the U.S. DOT to secure this grant will help the Port Authority’s ongoing efforts to enhance barge operations, with the potential to reduce truck traffic and resulting diesel pollutants in New York and New Jersey,’’ said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye. "Additionally, it represents another important investment in the ongoing modernization, safety and efficiency of our port operations, which means job growth and continued global competitiveness."