Boston Harbor dredging project receives $35 million in federal funding

Helps supports Port of Boston’s competitiveness in global economy

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Port Authority is pleased to announce that through the efforts of Senator Edward Markey (D-MA), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) $35 million has been secured to help fund the ongoing Boston Harbor Dredging Project. The project is approximately 30 percent complete, and this funding will enable the project to continue on schedule.

The project is a $350 million partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Massport. The maintenance dredging of the inner harbor was completed in December of 2017. The deepening of the main ship channels began in July 2018 to accommodate the large container vessels calling today and in the future.

“States up and down the East Coast are investing in their ports to accommodate bigger ships. Investing in the Port of Boston ensures our local industries, manufacturers, and workers are competitive in an increasingly globalized economy,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “This strong federal investment in this dredging project will help further upgrade the harbor in order to accommodate more and larger ships, to bring in more jobs, more investment, and more economic prosperity.”

“I am pleased that the Army Corps of Engineers requested $35 million in federal funding to continue the Boston Harbor dredging project – an undertaking that would increase economic activity and create thousands of jobs,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “I will work with my colleagues to help secure funding for this critical project for Massport, the City of Boston and the entire region.”

The multi-phase dredging project supports continued growth at Conley Container Terminal, which has achieved four consecutive record-breaking years for volume. The Port and Terminal generate $4.6 billion in economic activity, support 7,000 direct jobs and service exports and imports for 1,600 businesses across Massachusetts and New England.

“As someone who worked in the Port of Boston, I certainly appreciate the benefits that the deep water port offers to our region,” said Congressman Stephen F. Lynch. “This is a wonderful natural resource and we have to be wise and responsible custodians. These federal funds will help.”

“The Boston Harbor is the nexus for the 7th Congressional District,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “In order to ensure that small businesses can continue to grow, the federal government must partner on this project. I am grateful for the advocacy that predates my time in Congress and look forward to working with our partners to ensure that this critical investment is equitably felt across the 7th.”

Massport has made improving Conley a top priority and has ordered three new ship-to-shore cranes, 160 feet high with an outreach of 22 containers wide that will be delivered in late 2020. In addition to the new ship-to-shore cranes, Conley Terminal improvements include the construction of two 50-foot berths, expanded reefer storage, and new in-and-out gate facilities. These critical infrastructure projects will enable Conley Terminal to more efficiently and effectively service the large vessels calling the Port of Boston today, and the bigger ships that will call in the future.

“Investments we make today into the Port of Boston and the Conley Container Terminal are essential for New England to remain an important player in the global economy for years to come,” said Massport Acting CEO John Pranckevicius. “We are grateful to our federal partners and to the Baker-Polito Administration for their strong leadership and continued support of the Port.”

Nine of the world’s top shipping lines call the Port of Boston. Investing in Conley reduces the amount of goods that are trucked from New York, which lowers costs to consumers, improves air quality and alleviates highway congestion. Businesses using the Port of Boston and Conley Container Terminal include the Kraft Group’s International Forest Products, L.L. Bean, Jordan’s Furniture, Bob’s Discount Furniture and Christmas Tree Shops.