Opportunities adrift in Rhode Island’s ports

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By CAPT. HOWARD

McVAY JR.

Rhode Island ’s deep-water ports are a uniquely valuable economic resource, but are underdeveloped and underutilized. Despite the information gathered from nearly 25 years ’worth of studies, little action has resulted in port development in Rhode Island. These studies include the June 1991 Governor Sundlun-led study to combine the ports of Rhode Island, the November 2009 Mayor Cicilline proposed Waterfront Plan, various privately funded assessments, the April 2011 Martin Associates study for the Rhode Island Bays, Rivers, and Watersheds Coordination Team, and the February 2012 state-wide ports study conducted by the Special Legislative Commission to Study Potential Economic Opportunities in the

Development of Port Facilities in Rhode Island, all of which overwhelmingly confirm the assets and shortcomings of Rhode Island ports and ports management.

Maritime trade in the Northeast is increasing and Rhode Island is poised to take advantage of shipping trends. Specifically, Rhode Island ’s position along the marine super-highway and its accessibility to multi-modal transportation systems, i.e.: I-95 corridor, cargo rails, T.F. Green and Quonset airports, as well as Rhode Island ’s deep-water ports and channel, protected harbor, long coastline are enhanced by our rich maritime heritage and our entrepreneurial spirit, which enable us to take advantage of trending opportunities in high-tech, high-value project cargo, container terminals, automobile trade, perishable break-bulk, and offshore wind services. Further, the ports are a proven income and job generator.

The Legislative Commission Report recognizes that in 2012 Providence and Davisville employed over 3,600 people, generated more than $320 million in economic activity and $25 million in tax revenue annually. But it further notes an unrecognized opportunity to create an additional 1,000 new jobs, $70 million in personal income, $127 million in business revenue, $10 million in local spending, and $8.1 million in tax revenue.

While other ports are making massive investments in order to take advantage of these burgeoning, profitable trends (for example, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is spending $1.29 billion to raise the Bayonne Bridge in order to remain competitive to larger ships accessing the northeast by the Panama Canal expansion project), Rhode Island ’s existing infrastructure is well-developed to support these opportunities. In fact, “the Commission is confident that these ‘Opportunities for Growth ’can be achieved by utilizing the existing piers in

Providence, Davisville, and Newport.” Even endowed with these natural advantages, however, industry needs action in the government and coordinated marketing and promotion to realize these opportunities.

In the past, the unfavorable political environment has chilled outside investment in Providence and Quonset/Davisville. To our knowledge there has never been a professional assessment of port development on a statewide basis that includes legislation supportive of the final recommendations. Over the years both of our Rhode Island businesses, which provide shipping agency and vessel piloting services, have fielded questions from companies that sought to establish new marine terminals in Narragansett Bay. These companies recognized that Rhode Island offers one of only two deep-water ports in New England. However, following up with the companies consistently yields the same response: “The political will is not in place for port development in Rhode Island.”

Today, we feel encouraged by the governor, the Speaker of the House and the mayor of Providence, who show strong leadership in recognizing the need to create more good paying jobs and increase local spending and investment by developing our greatest asset: our ports. The local maritime industry is highly supportive of these government officials and is ready to collaborate with them and all stakeholders to strategically reach those goals.

Over three years ago the Legislative Commission Report made several recommendations with which the maritime industry agrees: Appoint a ports ombudsperson to facilitate development and coordination; support pro-port policy for sustainable job growth; market and promote Rhode Island ports regionally, nationally, and internationally; and explore public-private partnerships for investment and development. Further, the state must adopt needed legislation that would attract long-term, private maritime investment. Indeed, some progress has been made, for example, zoning along Allens Avenue now protects industrial and waterfront uses, however, much more remains to be accomplished.

By failing to take action, Rhode Island is actively losing its competitive footing and strategic advantages regarding maritime trade. Hopefully the political dials are set to align with our best natural asset for progress now.

Capt. E. Howard McVay Jr.: Captain/Pilot, Northeast Marine Pilots Association and Past President of the Propeller Club, Port of Narragansett Bay Gavin R. Black: Principal of Moran Shipping and current President of the Propeller Club, Port of Narragansett Bay.

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