New York/New Jersey container traffic volumes jump 16%

This was up from 4.56m teu in 2009, just 7,080 teu bellow the peak cargo traffic record levels reported in 2007, with the port retaining its top East Coast container handling port ranking and third nationally, behind the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

In 2010, the port handled 376,770 containers through its ExpressRail system, up 22.3% and nearing the annual record set in 2008. The port’s total general cargo volume increased to 32.2m tonnes, up 28.2m compared to 2009. Imports alone grew by 14.3% to 21m tonnes, with general cargo exports growing by 13.9% from 9.8m tonnes (2009) to 11.2m tonnes last year.

To meet the challenges of future growth, the Port Authority is to invest US$283m this year to upgrade the port road network, enhance the existing ExpressRail system and continue its project to deepen the port’s channels to 15 metres (50 feet).