Martin Associates News

A new plan is being formulated to preserve and improve one of the world's most historic and well-known vessels.The record-setting superliner Queen Mary has been sitting permanently moored in Long beach, Calif. since its removal from transatlantic service in 1967. A 2015 survey revealed the once glorified liner has been in an escalating state of disrepair, but estimates detailing the extent of work needed have varied.Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said in his State of the City…

New study finds port investments including Harbor Deepening have resulted in “significant” job growth over last five years.Cargo activity through Jacksonville’s seaport positively impacts tens of thousands of jobs and supports nearly $31.1 billion in annual economic output for the region and state, according to a newly released study. The study, citing double-digit growth in the port’s total economic impact over the last five years, was conducted by Martin Associates, a widely recognized maritime research firm.In the Jacksonville area…

A new report from the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) shows the Port of Boston contributed $8.2 billion in economic activity in 2018, up from $4.6 billion in 2012.Smart investments and partnerships have led to growth in jobs, business revenues, and tax contributions, it said.“The finding that the Port of Boston contributed $8 billion in just one year to the regional economy underscores the important role transportation infrastructure plays in the vitality of an area,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack.“The Baker-Polito Administration has been and will continue to make strategic capital investments in transportation infrastructure in order to create jobs…

Californian Port of Oakland supports 84,144 jobs in the Bay Area and 20 percent of those jobs are Oakland-based, according to an economic impact study.The study by Martin Associates shows that the Port’s overall economic value—from business revenue, consumer spending, and total value of goods and services—tops $130 billion. The Port and its tenants also contribute $698 million in state/local taxes.The Port said the study shows that growth in its three businesses—Commercial Real Estate, Aviation and Maritime is paying off for the community.“The report confirms the Port of Oakland’s role as a jobs generator for the region,” said Port of Oakland Director of Social Responsibility Amy Tharpe.

Survey Shows U.S. Ports Plan Big Investments In Capital Projects. In its just-released 2016-2020 Port Planned Infrastructure Investment Survey, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) – the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas – asked its U.S. member ports how much they and their private-sector partners plan to spend on port-related freight and passenger infrastructure over the next five years. The answer was a whopping $154.8 billion. AAPA then contrasted that number with what it believes is the “best-case” scenario for investments by the federal government into U.S. ports, including their land- and water-side connections, through 2020. The answer was just $24.825 billion.

Survey shows U.S. In its just-released 2016-2020 Port Planned Infrastructure Investment Survey, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) asked its U.S. member ports how much they and their private-sector partners plan to spend on port-related freight and passenger infrastructure over the next five years. The answer was a whopping $154.8 billion. AAPA then contrasted that number with what it believes is the “best-case” scenario for investments by the federal government into U.S. ports, including their land- and water-side connections, through 2020.

Nearly 148,000 new jobs have been generated by cargo and vessel activity at Port of Houston terminals since 2011, Port of Houston Authority Chairman Janiece Longoria announced today during the Greater Houston Partnership’s annual State of the Port event. An economic impact study by Martin Associates determined that public and private marine terminals at the Port of Houston had a statewide economic impact of $265 billion in 2014, which is 16 percent of Texas’ total gross domestic product, Chairman Longoria said. The Martin Associates study shows the port’s economic value to the state since 2011 increased $82 billion, or 45 percent. “The Port of Houston is the leading driver for the greater Houston region for creating jobs and economic opportunity,” Chairman Longoria said.

Since last nationwide analysis in 2007, U.S. Lancaster, Pa.-based Martin Associates, a provider of economic and strategic assessments of the world’s transportation systems, released the results of its latest economic impact study of United States seaports. Dr. John Martin, Martin Associates’ president, debuted his firm’s 2014 National Economic Impact of the U.S. Coastal Port System report during the second day of the American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) 2015 Spring Conference in Washington, D.C.

From 2007 to 2014, the total economic value that U.S. coastal ports provide in terms of revenue to businesses, personal income and economic output by exporters and importers rose 43 percent to $4.6 trillion. This accounted for 26 percent of the nation's $17.4 trillion economy in 2014, up from 20 percent of its $16.1 trillion economy in 2007, says a study titled, '2014 National Economic Impact of the U.S. Coastal Port System', released by Martin Associates for the American Association of Port Authorities' (AAPA). In the seven years since Martin Associates' last nationwide ports economic impact study, the contributions of America's seaports to the nation's economy have risen dramatically.

Port authority CEOs and senior staff from throughout the Western Hemisphere, along with maritime industry leaders, influencers and policymakers are expected to converge on Washington, D.C., April 20-21, to attend the 2015 Spring Conference of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) – the collective and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas. The annual event will feature discussions on the energy industry, cybersecurity, port cooperation, economic impacts, infrastructure funding…

A new study released today reveals that $7 billion is being spent on asset renewal and infrastructure improvements in the bi-national Great Lakes-St. Lawrence shipping system. The investment survey, compiled by maritime trade consultants, Martin Associates, tallies US$ 6.9 billion in capital spending on ships, ports and terminals and waterway infrastructure in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence waterway. Of that total, $4.7 billion has been invested in the navigation system from 2009-2013 and another $2.2 billion is committed to improvements from 2014-2018.

The Port of Seattle’s co-presidents Stephanie Bowman and Courtney Gregoire have been reelected by the port’s commission for another full-year term. The commission also elected John Creighton to serve as vice president, Tom Albro to serve as commission secretary and Bill Bryant to serve as assistant secretary. “We began 2014 with a focus on critical issues including enhancing the competitiveness of our seaport, finding the right executive leadership for the port and expanding job opportunities in our communities,” said commission co-president Gregoire.

Port of Boston is Vital Economic Engine and Job Generator for Region. The Port of Boston generated $4.6 billion in 2012 and more than 50,000 jobs are supported by the port, including more than 7,000 direct jobs, according to a report released by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport). This economic impact and the jobs created by the working seaport help to keep Boston competitive among other U.S. East Coast ports. Operation of the maritime terminals ensures that the more cost-efficient waterborne cargo lands in Boston rather than other ports like New York/New Jersey or Baltimore…

The Port’s most historic cargo year (fiscal 2013) yielded a significant economic stimulus, reporting 778 new trade related jobs, $5 million in additional taxes and an additional $90 million in Maritime related economic activity as the Port of Hueneme continues to grow as an economic engine for Ventura County and the region. This announcement comes from a just released 'Economic Impact report for fiscal year 2013' performed by Martin Associates Economic Consulting firm. With over 20 years…

The Port of Hueneme’s most historic cargo year, 2013, yielded a significant economic stimulus, reporting 778 new trade related jobs, $5 million in additional taxes and an additional $90 million in Maritime related economic activity as the Port of Hueneme continues to grow as an economic engine for Ventura County and the region. Highlights of the study show that more than 315 of these newly created jobs remain local. This announcement comes from a just released Economic Impact report for fiscal year 2013 performed by Martin Associates Economic Consulting firm.

A report released by the Canadian Shipowners Association (CSA) has found that American regulations to require the installation of ballast water treatment equipment on Canadian domestic vessels beginning in 2014 will cost the Canadian economy  1.1 billion dollars over the next five years. Further complicating this situation is the reality that ship owners cannot comply with the regulations at this time, as the appropriate technology does not exist. The United States Coast Guard…

The Port of Houston Authority reached an agreement with Princess Cruises to make passenger calls for two additional cruise seasons, in addition to the sailings that will kick off later this year in November at the state-of-the-art Bayport Cruise Terminal. The agreement, which was approved by the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority today, calls for Princess Cruises to sail from the Bayport Cruise Terminal in Pasadena, Texas, during the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 cruise seasons. Sailings are expected to generate as much as $155 million of economic impact over the confirmed three cruise seasons, according to the firm Martin Associates. An estimated $3 million in state and local taxes is anticipated. Additionally, a total of 736 direct, induced and indirect jobs will be created.

Business activity at Port Canaveral  generated $2 billion and 17,000 jobs for the local community in 2012, up 73% in business revenue since the last economic impact analysis three years ago. Leading industry consulting firm Martin Associates of Lancaster, Pa., was commissioned to analyze cruise, cargo, real estate and marina activity at Port Canaveral, the world’s second busiest cruise Port and central Florida’s outlet to the sea for cargo. The survey of 294 tenants and service providers found that Port Canaveral business activities generated an increase of 30-percent job growth…

Cargo shipments to ports on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway navigation system generate $34.6 billion of economic activity and 227,000 jobs in Canada and the U.S., according to a new study released today. That breaks down to 98,000 jobs and $15.9 billion in economic activity in Ontario and Quebec. The study, which is the first to reveal the economic value of the entire bi-national Great Lakes-Seaway System and its more than 100 ports, was simultaneously unveiled today by the Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation in Ottawa and by U.S.

More growth expected as Port expands rail system in largest construction project in a decade. The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority reported that overall cargo tonnage increased 31 percent in 2011, largely the result of growth in steel, iron-ore and oversized “project” cargo handled by Port facilities. The Port handled 3.4 million tons of cargo last year – the highest volume since 2008. General cargo volume rose 16 percent as both steel and project cargo posted increases; while bulk cargo increased 33 percent, as more iron ore was handled by Port operations.

The Port of Houston Authority partners with two cruise lines, PrincessCruises & Norwegian Cruise Lines, to use Bayport Cruise Terminal. Princess Cruises will make passenger cruise calls during the 2013-2014 cruise season, while Norwegian Cruise Lines has committed to begin service in 2014. The Port Commission authorized entering into agreements with both lines after meeting in executive session. The Port Authority's agreement with the lines is significant. including the cities of Houston and Pasadena. Smaller cities near the cruise terminal are also expected to benefit.

The Port of Houston Authority is partnering with two separate cruise lines, Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines, to offer new service from the Bayport Cruise Terminal. Princess Cruises will make passenger cruise calls during the 2013-2014 cruise season, while Norwegian Cruise Lines has committed to begin service in 2014. "We are ecstatic that these two premier cruise lines have chosen to sail from our state-of-the-art cruise facility at Bayport in Pasadena, Texas," said Jim Edmonds, chairman of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority.

The assumption that trade conditions and infrastructure will drive future transportation changes will be the overriding theme at the sixth annual American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) “Shifting International Trade Routes” workshop in Tampa, Fla., Jan. 24-25, 2013. The 1½-day program, which is being cosponsored by the U.S. Maritime Administration and hosted by the Tampa Port Authority, will address the range of issues related to dynamic, global and hemispheric trade.