Channel & Berth Deepening

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey isworking with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers(Corps) to deepen the harbor in order to accommodate larger, deeper draft vessels. A primary goal of the Port Authority’s port improvement program is providing superior ocean access to accommodate the demand for international cargo through our region. In 2004, work was completed on the 45-foot dredging of the Kill Van Kull and Newark Bay channels. These channels provide primary access to the Port Newark and the Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal. The project, which began in 1999, was completed ahead of schedule, and under budget allows post Panamax ships carrying more than 5,000 TEUs to call on the port. Deepening of the Arthur Kill from 35 to 41 feet from the confluence with the Kill Van Kull and Newark Bay South including Howland Hook and a one-mile portion of the Arthur Kill south of Howland Hook to 40 feet continues. Deepening to Howland Hook is scheduled for completion inlate 2006.With the 45-foot deepening in place, the Corps has begun the next phase of deepening channels in the Port - the Harbor Deepening Project - deepening key channels to 50 feet. The Corps has already initiated work in the Kill Van Kull, deepening the western two thirds of this waterway, and in the AmbroseChannel, the main entrance channel into the Port.Deepening work in Newark Bay and the AnchorageChannel is expected to begin by early 2007.

The current schedule for the HarborDeepening Project calls for completionof all channels to 50 feet by 2014.However The Corps of Engineers andthe Port Authority are investigatingalternatives to provide one-way accessto the terminals by as early as 2009.The Corps of Engineers has substantiallycompleted the deepening of the PortJersey Channel to 41feet and is planingto begin construction of the 50-footdeepening in early 2007. The dredging,sponsored by the State of New Jersey,will improve access to the privatelyowned Global Marine Terminal in Jersey City and a planned second facilityadjacent to Global. Completion is estimated for 2008.