New York Container Terminal (NYCT) announced that Hamburg S'd, one of the world's premiere container shipping companies will move its operation from New Jersey to the northwest shore of Staten Island in the first quarter of 2006. The move will result in an additional 25-30 high-quality longshore and maritime support jobs ' the majority of which will go to New York City residents. These will be represented by the International Longshoremen's Association Local 920 Staten Island and Local 1814 Brooklyn.
"We're thrilled that Hamburg S'd has made the decision to bring their service to us," New York Container Terminal President and CEO Jim Devine said. "They are a long-established line dating back to the 1870's and we view their decision as an endorsement for everything that has been done here over the last three years with the help of the Port [Authority] and City EDC to put New York back as a credible option in the marine commerce business."
"We are pleased to confirm that our container shipping operation will be moving to NYCT," Director of Operations for Hamburg S'd, Rainer Dehe said.
"Once the current dredging work in the Arthur Kill is complete, our service will transfer to Staten Island and we expect to have a productive association with the Terminal for some time to come."
"This is the continuation of the growth of New York Container Terminal, growth in employment for Staten Islanders, and good-paying jobs," Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro said. "I have every confidence that Hamburg S'd will receive better service here than in New Jersey."
"This deal is great news for NYCT and for the New York City residents who will once again have an opportunity to secure high quality jobs in the City's maritime industry," New York City Economic Development Corporation President Andrew M. Alper said. "This agreement reflects the hard work that the City, along with the Port Authority, have put in toward revitalizing the New York side of the harbor. Howland Hook's operations continue to grow and as a result of ongoing infrastructure improvements, including the dredging of the Arthur Kill and the reactivation of the Staten Island Railroad, the New York Container Terminal will be a more competitive and attractive port for businesses around the globe."
The long-term deal[RD1] will result in more than $10 million in revenues to NYCT from stevedoring and related services per year.. The average salary for the new jobs is approximately $88,000.
"We are pleased that Hamburg S'd will be maintaining its presence in the Port of New York and New Jersey," President of the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers Jeff Bader said "We believe that realigning operations in this manner serves the entire port well by utilizing available capacity more efficiently."
The container volume at Howland Hook as a result of this agreement is approximately 800 containers per week, or 40,000 containers per year with 52 ship calls during that time frame. NYCT handles about 10% of all harbor traffic with 475 employees, 750 percent of whom are NYC residents.
