Broader environmental strategy propels PANYNJ forward

Touching on a Port Inland Distribution Network (PIDN) and the PANYNJ)attempts to jump-start a barge service to draw containers from the hinterland to the PANYNJ’s terminals he says: “People with cargo were willing to participate,” but “the shipping lines wanted to see a long term commitment.” This would have involved rearranging the way the shipping lines move land-side cargo, a prospect that they were “not excited about”. Rr Adm Larrabee highlights the environmental benefits of the now-terminated barge link, and is quick to add that “we have gone forward with the rail side of the program with links to Buffalo (upstate New York) and Worcester (eastern Massachusetts) set to open soon. The rail links get back to our concept of moving more cargo, being more productive.

“Portions of the PIDN funding were based on congestion mitigation”, Rr Adm Larrabee says. “Everything we have talked about reflects elements of a broader environmental strategy. For example, on dredging, every cubic yard of material pulled out will be used beneficially. We’ve also mitigated 100% of the emissions from the dredges for the life of the project.

“All of our projects are analysed for economics, and then in terms of their environmental impacts. When we renovated our terminals, we brought in new technology and reduced emissions (from yard equipment) by 30% – even though cargo grew by 25% during the period. But, even on the environmental side of the equation, we are very sensitive about getting the most benefit for our dollars,” he tells PS.