NEWS
Port Commerce

163-00: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , November 29, 2000

PORT AUTHORITY TAPS ROTTERDAM EXPERIENCE TO SPEED CARGO FLOW IN NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY PORTS -- Cooperative Agreement Signed Between Two Ports


To improve productivity and expedite cargo movement on and off its marine terminals in New York and New Jersey, the Port Authority has entered into a cooperative agreement with the Port of Rotterdam that will lead to improved distribution systems at the bistate agency's maritime ports.

"An innovative component of our port redevelopment plan is a concept called the Port Inland Distribution Network," said Port Authority Executive Director Robert E. Boyle. "The concept is to link the port by barge or rail systems to key distribution centers inland from the port. This concept is in place in Rotterdam and the agreement will help the Port Authority learn from their experience and offer our customers an important new service initiative."

The Port of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, has more than 15 years of experience with the development of an extensive inland distribution network to its regional market using private barge and rail operators. Twenty-two percent of Rotterdam's more than 3 million containers are distributed through this system.

"We are pleased to have this opportunity to enter into a partnership with the Port of New York and New Jersey to share information on innovative approaches to inland cargo distribution," said Willem K. Scholten, Chairman of the Port of Rotterdam. "Given the trading relationship between Rotterdam and the Port of New York and New Jersey, it is in our interest to help each other improve productivity and the efficiency of cargo movements at marine terminal facilities throughout the world."

Under the agreement, the Port of Rotterdam and a Dutch company, Ridderhaven BV, will provide information and data on its distribution system and provide guidance on how a similar system could be developed and implemented in the New York-New Jersey region. Ridderhaven BV has operated barge services, inland barge terminals and distribution centers in Europe for more than 10 years.

"The Port Inland Distribution Network will be key to our goal of improving the productivity of our existing marine terminals, as well as reducing congestion and air emissions on our roadway network through a greater use of barge and shuttle rail systems," said Richard M. Larrabee, Director of the Port Authority's Port Commerce Department. "We are excited about the opportunity to learn from Rotterdam's experience with the goal of being as successful as they have been in implementing such a system."

The agreement was signed in Genoa, Italy, at the Intermodal 2000 conference by Mr. Scholten and Port Authority Assistant Executive Director Lillian C. Borrone.

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