Port Authority Says it Has the Capacity to Take on Cargo Traffic Redirected from Baltimore

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Newark NJ, on Tuesday, the Port Authority announced expectations of increased cargo traffic at the Port of New York and New Jersey due to ships rerouting away from Baltimore. The bi-state agency assured its capacity to manage additional cargo, noting a 20% increase in cargo volume in 2021 compared to current levels. However, it anticipates some vessels diverting to other East Coast ports further south, such as Norfolk, VA, or Savannah, GA.

Bethann Rooney, port director at the Port Authority, stated, “The Port Authority is in communication with our counterparts in Baltimore, and we stand prepared to provide emergency resources and any necessary assistance.” Rooney emphasized proactive collaboration with industry partners to ensure supply chain continuity along the East Coast.

Cargo vessels accessing Port Authority facilities like Port Newark, Elizabeth Port Authority Marine Terminal in New Jersey, and Howland Hook Marine Terminal in Staten Island navigate under the Verrazzano-Narrows and Bayonne Bridges. The Port Authority highlighted that large vessels, such as the 948-foot Dali, receive escort by at least four tugboats with local pilots.

A Port Authority spokesperson noted that the Bayonne Bridge was raised in 2019 to accommodate larger ships, and its piers are positioned far outside the shipping channel, unlike those of the Key Bridge. Moreover, the bridge features a “fender system” for protection.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) affirmed the safety measures in place at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, equipped with a specialized “rip rap system” consisting of rock islands around its tower bases to mitigate potential damage from ship collisions. Cathy Sheridan, president of MTA Bridges & Tunnels, reassured, “MTA bridges are outfitted with various safety technologies, including ship collision protections.” She emphasized the robust rip rap system at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which would cause a ship to run aground before causing significant damage to the bridge.

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