May 22, 2012 – The Patrick-Murray administration has demonstrated a commitment to strategically invest in our seaports. As chair of the Seaport Advisory Council, I have visited the Port of New Bedford with Mayor Jon Mitchell and the state legislative delegation many times to assess the city's local infrastructure needs and economic development opportunities.
The Seaport Advisory Council has invested over $12 million to support the Port of New Bedford. With these investments, the council and our administration continue to partner with New Bedford to revitalize the city's waterfront. In 2010, the Port of New Bedford, combined with Gloucester's harbor, delivered 220 million pounds of fish worth over $360 million. By improving the Port of New Bedford, we will increase economic activity for this region and the commonwealth.
Of course, we understand the challenges on the horizon. Massachusetts needs to remain proactive to address three emerging trends in the industry: increased size of container ships; expanded coastal shipping; and revised fishing regulations.
Larger Container Ships
Container ships that move goods worldwide are increasing in size to alleviate transportation costs. Many of these larger ships currently arrive along the United States' West Coast. Though the West Coast is extensive, the ports are becoming congested. Panama is responding to this issue by expanding the Panama Canal so larger container ships can access through the canal to shipping routes on the East Coast by 2015. Ports in New York, Virginia and South Carolina are already investing in deeper navigational channels, higher bridge clearances and larger docking areas to prepare for big container vessels.
Read the full article at the New Bedford Standard Times.