The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced on Monday April 11, 2016 that it would undertake a comprehensive review of the Port of New York and New Jersey’s more than 3,000 acres of cargo facilities to better evaluate and plan for future growth, improve operations, and enhance revenue plus opportunities for job creation.
The agency simultaneously issued a publicly advertised Request for Proposals (RFP 45736) as part of its search for a planning consultant to develop a long-range Maritime Master Plan to guide the port’s future growth and development over the next 25 to 30 years.
The Port of NY & NJ currently accounts for 336,600 direct and indirect jobs.
The review will examine each of the port’s six container terminals as well as its auto, bulk, cruise, and adjacent real estate holdings along with support services and operations. Agency officials expect the review will take up to 18 months to complete.
In developing their master plans, consultants will leverage data and information from previous studies, including the 2014-2015 Land Use Plan and the 2015 Port Demand and Capacity Study. Once completed, a submitted master plan should provide the framework to maximize land use, ensure an appropriate diversity of uses, increase operational efficiency, and provide for enhanced revenue opportunities.
The selected consultant will conduct a market analysis and identify emerging technologies and potential changes in operating practices that could improve efficiency. They will also explore industry trends and developments that could impact the port and analyze the ability of the existing complex to effectively and efficiently meet future demand while generating increased revenues for the agency and its stakeholders plus increased economic activity for the region in a sustainable manner.
Selected consultants will also review port capacity, the current tenant mix, and whether the current structure will allow for future demand to be effectively met while considering unique strategies such as off-port support facilities, inland ports, expansion of the free-trade zone, and short sea shipping.
One of the selected consultant’s primary tasks will be to develop an outreach plan with Port Authority staff to work with and solicit ideas and opinions from a variety of internal and external port stakeholders. These include federal, state, and local government agencies, neighboring communities, tenants, industry representatives, elected officials, labor organizations, and the public.
Aside from this Master Plan initiative, the Port Authority already has taken steps to improve operational performance and efficiency at the port through the formation of the Port Performance Task Force in December 2013. The task force developed a series of 23 recommendations designed to reduce truck congestion and air emissions in the Port of New York and New Jersey, improve customer service for truckers and other port stakeholders, and enhance the flow of goods to and from the marketplace.
A group of port stakeholders – the Council on Port Performance – was formed and is now actively working on planning and implementing the recommendations.
“Our port has been a national trendsetter in the maritime industry and continues to be the leading East Coast gateway for international shippers,” said Port Commerce Director Molly Campbell. “To continue this positive trend, we must take a holistic look at the entire port operation and develop an optimum plan that will allow us to efficiently grow the business for decades to come following a record 10.4 percent increase in cargo volumes in 2015.”
Again, interested firms can click here to obtain a copy of the RFP online.