1/11/06 - Proposed Shipping Route from Portsmouth to New York City
Pease International Explores New Services at Division of Ports and Harbors

Portsmouth, NH - Pease Development Authority and New Jersey-based Columbia Coastal Transportation team to facilitate a test shipment from the Port of Portsmouth to the Port of New York. The barge, stacked with 40 ft x 8 ft steel containers, is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Portsmouth on Friday, January 13 at 8 a.m. and depart for the Port of New York at 12 noon.

Captain Geno Marconi, Director of the Division of Ports and Harbors (Port Authority), states that a shipping route directed from Portsmouth to New York is advantageous both economically and environmentally. "Container barges will achieve a smoother access to the ships that sail from NY to various international locations by reducing the number of trucks, and therefore fuel emissions, on the I-95 corridor," explains Marconi.

The Port Authority seeks to accomplish two main goals with the experimental shipment conducted on Friday: provide a provisional demonstration that observes the physical flow of cargo from here to New York and create eventual transportation of goods and merchandise between New York and Portsmouth.

Though container vessels once frequented the port, berthing conflicts resulting from only one dock ended the service in 1990. Today, however, there are two docks, making it possible to conduct the regular and timely schedules necessary for container vessels.

The Port Authority maintains that the consideration of several variables is necessary in determining the true feasibility of such a vast project. "This demonstration is just one step in the process of gathering and analyzing the information needed in order to make an informed decision regarding not only this route, but future routes as well," states Marconi. "If the outcome reveals that this particular route is not financially viable to all parties involved, then it may prove to be rewarding for other potential routes or cargo in the near future."

John Kelley, President of Port City Forwarding in Portsmouth, agrees that a new route makes great economic sense for New Hampshire. "This route would save both time and money for New Hampshire trucking companies currently making congested commutes to Boston Harbor or to New York Harbor," states Kelley. "It's simply a more efficient way to transport goods internationally."

Pease International welcomes Columbia Coastal and the attention the potential route will attract. "We are excited about the possibility of bringing higher value cargo to the port, the community and the state," explains George Bald, Executive Director of Pease Development Authority. "The exposure will encourage more container-vessel companies to consider utilizing the convenience of the Port of Portsmouth for their shipping needs."

About Pease International
The Pease Development Authority"s mission is to redevelop 3,000 acres into a world-class office and industrial park and international airport, and create a diverse regional economy with significant employment opportunities for the Seacoast Region and the State of New Hampshire.

Today, Pease International Tradeport has over 220 companies employing nearly 10,000 people and occupying nearly 4.5 million square feet of office and industrial space. The Tradeport is the home of the Pease International Airport, which services the community with leisure, business, private and cargo flights around the country.

The Pease International Airport, with its new International/Domestic passenger terminal, has complete Federal Inspection Services available on-site. The 11,321- foot runway is one of the longest on the East Coast and can accommodate the world"s largest aircraft. Pease International Airport is located adjacent to Interstate 95, just 50 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, Manchester, NH and Portland, Maine.

For additional information please visit the web site at www.peasedev.org.