Port of Boston Sets New Record
The Port of Boston’s Paul W. Conley Container Terminal set new all-time records for both fiscal year 2016 and monthly usage this past August.
Conley Terminal handled 247,329 TEU over the course of the 2016 fiscal year, with growth in both import volume and export volume. This surpassed FY2015 volume by 12-percent, or over 26,000 TEU. In addition, the port set a new all-time monthly record in August with a volume of 26,334 TEU.
The consistent growth in FY2016 can be attributed to the strong regional economy and the higher levels of productivity, port officials said.
“The strategic planning and investment being done to keep the Port of Boston competitive and an east coast leader is behind these record-breaking numbers,” said Lisa Wieland, director of the Port of Boston. “Our partners in state and federal government know the vital importance the port has to the people of New England and we are looking forward to continuing our work together to serve them even better together.”
Conley Terminal, which is owned and operated by Massport, is the only full-service container terminal in New England and serves seven of the top shipping lines in the world: Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), “K” Line, Yang Ming, Evergreen, Maersk Line, and Hapag-Lloyd. The containerized cargo that passes through Conley Terminal includes seafood, beer and wine, furniture, apparel, and footwear.
The port has received a $107.5 million commitment from the state government to support the construction of a new berth and the procurement of three new cranes to handle larger ships at Conley Terminal and a $42 million FASTLANE grant from the United States Department of Transportation. The FASTLANE grant will go towards renovations and improvements to Conley Terminal’s existing facility.
“Boston harbor is the economic engine for the entire New England region, and revitalizing the port will help it retain its world-class distinction,” said Senator Edward J. Markey, at a recent port event. “Improving the harbor to accommodate more and larger ships will bring more jobs, more investment, and more economic activity to Massachusetts.”
More than 1,600 businesses across New England use the Port of Boston for importing and exporting goods.
Following the opening of the expanded Panama Canal, Conley Terminal is now servicing vessels 40 percent to 60 percent larger on the Asia-to-east coast route.
Massachusetts Port Authority manages this terminal so why does the state feel compelled to fund this? $107m is the revenue for two years from a parking garage, or thereabouts. Seems our state monies could be used more effectively where raising revenues is difficult, like education maybe?