In order to facilitate the mega-ships instigated by the raising of the Bayonne Bridge in mid-2016, New-York and New Jersey must improve truck turnaround times and productivity at its ports.
The Journal of Commerce reported Rick Larrabee, Director of Port Commerce at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as saying that the port now handles 9,300 TEU ships compared to the 5,000 TEU capacity vessels a few years ago.
In effect, these larger ships are discharging a higher percentage of cargo per load-centre call, with 20-30% typically discharged by 5-6,000 TEU vessels.
Commenting on the current percentage of cargo intake, Larrabee said: “We are seeing 50-60% of the cargo being discharged here and the ships are making fewer port calls.”
Rick Larabee added: “Our challenge is, how do you handle those surges? That is the issue that all of us face these days.”
New labour rules negotiated with the International Longshoremen’s Association in 2013 have sought to manage the larger vessels calling at US East Coast ports.
Under the new rules, productivity is raised during three-day port calls as better-rested dockworkers are brought in, this also improves flexibility.
John Nardi, President of the New York Shipping Association said: “You have fresh labour coming in every 12 hours so the fatigue factor will be less. This requires more labour than what we have today, if you are sending people home after 12 hours.”
NY-NJ in Bayonne Bridge Mega-Vessel Block. (Source: The Loadstar)
