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Massport News

30 Aug 2022

New Bedford Port Authority Names Gordon Carr Executive Director

Gordon Carr (Photo: New Bedford Port Authority)

The New Bedford Port Authority (NBPA) has named Gordon Carr as the next Executive Director of the Massachusetts seaport.Carr, who current serves as Deputy Director of Real Estate Strategy and Policy at the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), has more than 25 years of experience in the public and private sectors in the areas of public policy, economic development, and enterprise strategy, including on projects related to the City. As an independent consultant in 2014-15, Carr…

27 Jan 2021

Boston Harbor Phase II Dredging Wraps Up Ahead of Schedule

(Photo: Cashman Dredging)

New England’s busiest port moves closer to welcoming larger containerships and growing the regional economy with the completion of the second phase of a three-part dredging program last month, nearly one year ahead of schedule.Cashman Dredging and JV partner The Dutra Group began Phase II of the U.S. Army Corps’ Boston Harbor Navigation Improvement Project in July of 2018. The recently completed phase, focused on deepening the main ship channels (the Outer Harbor Channel from 40 to 51 feet…

04 Nov 2019

Boston’s Conley Terminal Receives Two New RTG Cranes

Photo: Massachusetts Port Authority

On Saturday, November 2nd, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) received two new rubber-tired gantries (RTGs), increasing the number of RTGs at the Paul W. Conley Container Terminal to 16. Adding equipment is part of an $850 million investment to keep Conley Terminal competitive and efficient with truck turntimes averaging under 35 minutes. Another two RTGs were also delivered back in May. The Port of Boston contributes over $8 billion to the regional economy and supports more than 9,000 direct jobs.

28 Jul 2019

Port of Boston Sets New Record

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced another record year for the Port of Boston’s Paul W. Conley Container Terminal.From July 2018 through June 2019, Conley handled 307,331 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) – an 8% increase in cargo volumes over FY2018 and a new all-time record for the fifth consecutive year. Total imports also rose by 12% over FY18 to 152,960 TEUs in advance of pending tariffs.“We are proud of Conley’s continued growth and success, which reflect the region’s strong economy and Conley’s high levels of productivity,” said Acting Port Director Mike Meyran.“For FY2020, we will continue to make smart infrastructure…

30 Jun 2019

Massport Board Appoints New CEO

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) picked its port director, Lisa Wieland, to be its next Chief Executive Officer(CEO), bypassing the other finalist, a member of the city's power elite, for one of the most influential public-sector jobs in the state.Board of Directors voted to offer Wieland the position of CEO and Executive Director for a five-year term. Contract negotiations will occur at a later date.The search firm Isaacson, Miller sought a diverse candidate pool for the position and more than 100 applications were received. Members of the Board’s Preliminary Screening Committee interviewed 10 semifinalists, of which five were women and three were people of color.

14 Jun 2019

Big Cash Boost at Boston Port

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…

19 Mar 2019

$35M for Boston Harbor Dredging Project

Photo: Courtesy Massachusetts Port Authority

The Massachusetts Port Authority announced that $35 million has been secured to help fund the ongoing Boston Harbor Dredging Project. The project is approximately 30 percent complete, and this funding will enable the project to continue on schedule.The project is a $350 million partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Massport. The maintenance dredging of the inner harbor was completed in December of 2017. The deepening of the main ship channels began in July 2018 to accommodate the large container vessels calling today and in the future.

03 Dec 2018

Moose to the Rescue

This West Coast boat builder stays busy creating high quality fireboats for a diverse set of demanding, multi-missioned first responders. For Moose customer satisfaction is the name of the game. This year, they’ve got that box checked.Vallejo,CA-based Moose Boats builds aluminum catamaran and monohull vessels designed to meet a variety of mission-specific applications for military, law enforcement, emergency response, firefighting and security patrol purposes. It’s been a busy year for Moose, who also recently laid the keel for a 75’ catamaran crew boat for Westar Marine Services in San Francisco. But, it is fireboats that this builder is known for. And, at present, it would not be an exaggeration to say that fireboats are ‘hot’ for Moose Boats.

07 Dec 2017

Box Ship Breaks from Mooring in Boston

The U.S. Coast Guard said it is investigating how a containership broke free from its mooring in Boston on Wednesday morning.   The Coast Guard, along with Massport Fire Department, Boston Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and port tugs responded to 1,065-foot vessel, Helsinki Bridge, that broke free at the Paul W. Conley Container Terminal at around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday morning.   Terminal workers aboard the ship at the time were able to safely disembark, and no injuries or pollution have been reported, the Coast Guard said.   The incident caused some damage to the pier, local media reported.   A docking pilot boarded the vessel and worked with the ship's crew to escort the Helsinki Bridge to Broad Sound where it remains anchored.

04 Jan 2017

EPA Awards Nearly $2 Mln for Clean Repowers

Three New England projects have been awarded nearly two million dollars under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) competitive national grant competition to reduce diesel emissions. The grants, totaling $1,975,000, were made under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA). The funding will assist the Connecticut Maritime Foundation, the Massachusetts Port Authority and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in marine vessel repowering and vehicle replacement projects. Diesel engines contribute significantly to air pollution, especially in urban areas. The fine particles in diesel exhaust pose serious health risks, including aggravated asthma and other respiratory symptoms. Children are especially vulnerable to these effects.

18 Nov 2016

Cruiseport Boston Closes Out 2016 Cruise Season

Anthem of the Seas (Photo: Royal Caribbean International)

As Cruiseport Boston closes out its successful 2016 season, 2017 is already shaping up to be a record year with 151 calls scheduled for next cruise season. The 2016 season saw 115 calls by a record 32 unique ships with ten maiden calls to the port, including Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas, the largest cruise ship to ever call the Port of Boston. Cruiseport Boston has seen years of steady growth which has contributed to the booming cruise business in Boston.

11 Oct 2016

Viking Ocean Cruises Makes Maiden US Call

Viking Ocean Cruises made its first ever call on a U.S. port when Viking Star docked at Cruiseport Boston. Viking Star began her voyage in Montreal, travelled the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City and Saguenay, continued on to Prince Edward Island and Halifax and, following her stop in Boston, will continue on to New York City later in the week. Officials from Massport and Viking marked the occasion with a traditional plaque and key exchange on board Viking Star while docked at the Cruiseport. “As Cruiseport Boston continues this exciting period of growth, we are thrilled to welcome Viking Ocean Cruises and to offer their passengers the opportunity to explore Boston and the Commonwealth,” said Lisa Wieland, Massport’s Port Director.

18 Jul 2016

Port of Boston Welcomes Largest Cargo Ship to Date

COSCOCS, one of the largest container operators in the world, upgraded its service into the Port of Boston Sunday with a vessel that can carry more than 8,500 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), Conley’s largest cargo ship to date. The Port is responsible for $4.6 billion of economic activity and 7,000 direct jobs. “This is an exciting time at Conley as we have seen double digit growth in both imports and exports this year,” said Massport’s Port Director Lisa Wieland. The ship, COSCOCS’s Xin Mei Zhou, arrived Sunday morning and departed Sunday evening. The ship is almost 1,100 feet long and will carry 8,530 TEUs. Conley currently services ships that carry 4,000 to 6,000 TEUs.

25 Mar 2016

Boston Harbor Dredging Project to get Underway

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) Board today voted to approve to execute a Project Partnering Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and MassDOT to start the Boston Harbor Dredging Project. A signed agreement allows the ACOE to bid contracts for construction on a Confined Aquatic Disposal cell (CAD cell), which is needed for the maintenance dredging of the Inner Harbor Main Ship Channel. Maintenance dredging will restore the inner harbor to 40 feet and is the first phase of the larger dredging project. Without maintenance dredging, the harbor will continue to silt, leading to increased transit times, economic inefficiencies, and navigational safety concerns.

04 Dec 2015

New Cranes to Scale Back Massport Emissions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $333,185 to the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) to help retrofit five rubber tired gantry cranes with new diesel engines that will reduce air pollution. The cranes are used to load drayage trucks at the Conley shipping terminal in Boston and reposition containers within the yard. The funding, made possible under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA), is part of nearly $28 million in grant funds being awarded by EPA nationwide for clean diesel projects in 2015, and is the only project in New England to be selected for DERA funding this year. The grant will allow Massport to replace five older, Tier III diesel engines with current EPA Tier-4F certified diesel engines.

20 May 2015

New Cargo Inspection Facility for Massport

Passport Systems, Inc. has began construction on a non-intrusive, cargo inspection facility at the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), Port of Boston, Conley Container Terminal in South Boston which is designed to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of cargo screening at the Port. Passport Systems' SmartScan 3D automated cargo inspection system can detect, locate and identify contraband at ports and border crossings around the globe as well as automatically clear or confirm alarms. Dr. Robert J.

05 Feb 2015

Maersk Line Returns to Boston

Photo courtesy of Maersk

Maersk Line, the world's largest container shipping line, resumed operations at the Port of Boston’s Conley Container Terminal with the arrival of the Sealand Illinois on Thursday, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced. Maersk, which last operated out of Boston in 2000, is the seventh major global container line currently servicing the city's port. Boston will be the second U.S. port of call after New York on Maersk Line’s TA5 service, part of their East-West Network.

25 Sep 2014

Moose Boats’ Fire Rescue Catamaran

Specialty workboats redefined: versatility, value and multi-mission capabilities, all rolled into one affordable hull. In a world where small to medium sized municipalities and port authorities have to make every dollar go a long, long way, any opportunity to leverage just one hull over multiple mission sets grabs a lot of attention. Nevertheless, Job 1 on that set of requirements is arguably the need to provide robust firefighting capabilities. Sure, everyone would like to have the ability to pump 15,000 gallons per minute (gpm), but at the same time, not everyone can afford it. Nor does everyone have the available draft to support such a (larger) platform.

21 Aug 2014

Evergreen Line Makes Maiden Call to Boston

ItalLunare docked at the Port of Boston

Evergreen Line’s ItalLunare celebrated its maiden call to the Port of Boston with an official first call and plaque presentation on Wednesday, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced. This is the first time Evergreen Line has called Boston directly in nearly 30 years. “The ItalLunare was bringing more than just cargo when she arrived at Conley Terminal this week,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. Evergreen, the fourth largest container shipping line in the world by capacity…

05 Aug 2014

Hanjin Makes Maiden Call to Boston

Hanjin Milano made its maiden call at Conley Terminal Friday (Photo: Massport)

The containership Hanjin Milano made its maiden call at Conley Terminal Friday, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced. This is the first time that Hanjin Shipping has called the Port of Boston directly, opening a new channel of economic impact for the region. “The Port of Boston is the waterborne trade gateway for New England and a primary economic engine for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said Thomas P. Glynn, Massport CEO. “As we work to dredge the harbor, the addition of new ships and new lines demonstrates that New England continues to be a strong market.

21 Jul 2014

Port of Boston: A Vital Economic Engine

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…

03 Jul 2014

Moose Boats to Build Fireboat for Bellingham

Image courtesy of Moose Boats

Moose Boats, a boat designer and manufacturer in the San Francisco Bay Area, has been awarded a contract from Bellingham Fire Department in Washington State for the construction of a M2-38 Catamaran CBRN Emergency Response and Recovery Vessel. The M2-38 aluminum catamaran will be powered by twin Cummins QSB6.7 425hp turbo diesel propulsion engines coupled to Hamilton HJ292 water-jets via TwinDisc 5075SC marine transmissions. The M2 will be equipped with dual Hale 1,000GPM rated fire pumps…

12 Mar 2014

Maritime Security East 2014 Underway in Boston

Captain Anthony Popiel, chief, Response Division, U.S. Coast Guard First District (pictured right); and Robert M. Gauvin, executiRobert M. Gauvin, executive director of Piracy Policy and technical advisor in the Office of Vessel Activities at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters (pictured right), and Captain Anthony Popiel, chief, Response Division, U.S. Coast Guard First District (Photos by William Lusk)

Maritime security and law enforcement experts are gathering in Boston this week to better understand maritime domain awareness and the challenges of port, waterway and coastal security, environmental protection, safety and law enforcement. One big lesson learned is that everything is just a little more challenging on the water. A number of law enforcement agencies from the New England area are attending and participating that have specific duties and functions associated with the maritime environment…