New York side of harbor to share in infrastructure enhancementsBy Peter A. Buxbaum, AJOTInternational cargo volumes at the Port of New York and New Jersey hit record levels in 2006. The expectation of continued robust growth have prompted the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to plan $2 billion in investments over the next 10 years. The New York side of the harbor will share in this increased infrastructure capacity, both in Brooklyn and Staten Island. A new vehicle processing center will be developed on the Brooklyn waterfront, while the Howland Hook terminal on Staten Island will benefit from enhanced rail connections. Containerized cargo volumes at the Port of New York and New Jersey rose eight percent in 2006 to a new record high, according to numbers provided by the Port Authority. Continued growth in trade with the Far East, North Europe, and Southeast Asia contributed to that growth. The dollar value of all cargo moving through the port in 2006 exceeded $149 billion, up 13% from 2005. The number of loaded and empty teus handled in the port exceeded five million. ExpressRail, the Port Authority’s on-dock rail terminals in New Jersey, set a new record in 2006, handling 338,882 containers, 11.8% more than in 2005. Total general cargo volume increased to 31.2 million metric tons in 2006, compared with 28.1 million metric tons in 2005. General cargo imports totaled 22.1 million metric tons, a 9.3% increase over 2005. General cargo exports increased by 14.8% to 9.1 million metric tons in 2006. Total bulk cargo was down 2.9% thanks to decreased volumes of refined petroleum products. The number of vehicles handled in 2006 was 852,297, up 18% for the year. Imports increased to 690,636 in 2006 from 578,694 in 2005. Exports increased to 161,661 in 2006 from 143,717 in 2005. The vehicle handling infrastructure in the New York-New Jersey port region will be enhanced with the Axis Group’s development of an auto processing and general cargo facility at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. The New York City Economic Development Corporation earlier this year finalized a 15-year lease with the company. New York City will invest $40 million in SBMT for paving, security rail access, and other infrastructure work, according to EDC president Robert Lieber. Axis will provide $13 million for initial capital improvements and $31 million over 20 years for maintenance of the above-grade facilities. Axis will begin renovation of the facility this summer and the facility is expected to begin operations next March. Axis Group Inc. is headquartered in Decatur, Georgia, and is a subsidiary of Allied Holdings Inc., a group of companies involved in auto distribution. The SBMT venture is its first in New York. “The Axis Group is thrilled to be coming to New York City,” said company president John Harrington. “We are eager to begin developing this site into a leading automotive logistics import facility.” Axis will use SBMT primarily as a port of entry for finished automobiles and a processing facility for vehicles intended for wholesale distribution in the US and abroad. Axis will also maintain general stevedoring services for containers, breakbulk and other cargo. Axis plans to aggressively market SBMT to handle cargoes such as niche containers and construction materials. “Tools to compete for international business”The Axis Auto Processing facility is among several maritime projects on the Brooklyn waterfront. Others include a $25 million recycling facility for metal, glass and plastics and a cement distribution facility, both of which use local waterborne transportation. Meanwhile, a Brazilian company is renovating another Brooklyn pier to create a cement import facility. Elsewhere on the New York side of the harbor, dredging and rail projects will enhance the attractiveness and capacity of the Howland Hook Container Terminal on Staten Island. The US Army Corps of Engineers New York District recently announced the completion of the Arthur Kill C