Containerized Shipping's Second Revolution at Port Newark Container Terminal

Containerized Shipping's Second Revolution
at Port Newark Container Terminal

60 years after the first commercial container sailed from Port Newark, PNCT is revolutionizing the future of port operations

Who could imagine when the first commercially successful container ship sailed from Port Newark with 58 containers in 1956 that container ships would grow so large that you'd need to raise the Bayonne Bridge and widen the Panama Canal just so they could get to port.

With the advent of so-called Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCV), that's exactly what is happening. And when these mega-ships arrive after the Bayonne Bridge is raised, Port Newark Container Terminal will be ready, thanks to more than a half billion dollar transformation that will make it among the most advanced port operation on the North American Atlantic coast

With 95% of all goods purchased in the US arriving by ship, PNCT plans to double its capacity by the end of the decade, growing from 1 million to 2.4 million TEUs per year.

PNCT is in the process of completely transforming its entire operation through intricately-timed staging of demolition, construction and installation of new equipment. As one of New Jersey's leading infrastructure projects, the expansion involves:

• demolishing outdated warehouses to add 118 acres of new land

• rebuilding and upgrading PNCT's entire wharf

• adding seven new ULCV capable gantry cranes (among the biggest ship-to-shore gantry cranes in the world)

• completely replacing existing straddle carriers and expanding the fleet to 120 units, including the only four-high straddle carriers in the nation

• building a completely new rail terminal which doubled PNCT's intermodal capacity and provides the only exclusive-use on-dock rail yard in the port

• moving the current gate facility for additional storing space and building a new gate which will provide the quickest and most consistent turn times

• completely refreshing all container handling equipment including a new fleet of 15 empty container handlers, three rubber-tire gantry cranes for the rail-yard, three reach stackers and 40 new off-road tractor trailers.

The expansion is being executed with an eye to significant environmental improvements from the reduced truck traffic to cleaner running equipment, alternative fuels and green technology across the board.

Owing to its leadership in public-private partnerships, PNCT was awarded by the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) a TIGER grant to rebuild its gate facility.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in October joined Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT) President & CEO Jim Pelliccio at a press conference at the Newark facility to announce the new Build America Transportation Investment Center (BATIC) and highlight BATIC's role in helping the PNCT explore financing options and eligibilities for its infrastructure modernization project.

"BATIC will change the game for how we advance critical infrastructure projects," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "As we move forward, [the BATIC] team will continue to provide project partners and potential investors with the clarity and technical assistance they need to move more projects forward and reduce our nation's infrastructure deficit."

Pelliccio welcomed the new federal initiative. "As ports prepare for ultra large container vessels, MARAD's strategy to offer alternative funding options to ports is a critical component for securing the supply chain," said Pelliccio. "Strong ports, particularly gateway ports, are essential to our growing economy. MARAD and the Build American Transport Investment Center (BATIC) are on the forefront of developing public-private partnerships that serve our national interests."

PNCT was also recently designated by the United State Maritime Administration (MARAD) as part of the New York Harbor Container and Trailer on Barge Marine Highway. This designation will permit freight arriving and departing the Port Newark Container Terminal to be moved by barge to reduce transportation costs, reduce traffic, reduce air emissions, reduce road maintenance costs, and improve safety.