It was just a few years ago that not a single freighter tied up to a New Bedford pier. Today, by comparison, it is almost a traffic jam. About 28 freighters, most of them offloading produce from northern Africa, are scheduled to dock in the harbor this year, and the future is looking bright.
Each freighter that arrives in port means employment for as many as 50 people and helps spread the word internationally that New Bedford is open for business, say port officials.
Cranes and booms lifting pallets and containers are a common sight today at North Terminal and State Pier, which has been pressed into service in a deal last year with Maritime Terminal Inc. The new arrangement allows Maritime the use of State Pier to handle larger vessels that have trouble navigating the drawbridge and North Terminal channel in heavy weather. In lieu of rent, for now, Maritime is making improvements to the facility.
Harbor Development Commission CEO Kristin Decas talks excitedly about much more to come, including an innovative roll-on, roll-off, rail shipping connection.
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