New York City eyes all-electric container-on-barge service

This container-on-barge service represents a strategic investment in improving food resiliency, strengthening redundancy in the regional supply chain, and reducing dependence on truck-dominated corridors. This service is also being designed to catalyze investment into zero emissions maritime technology in New York Harbor. The BMT-HPMT electric/ZE barge service is intended to provide a reliable, zero-emission marine corridor capable of transporting at least 100 40-foot refrigerated containers (reefers) per sailing, with sufficient onboard electrical capacity and reefer connections to maintain continuous refrigeration of all containers during transit. In planning HPMT, NYCEDC designed the terminal to accommodate 150 40-foot containers moving in each direction simultaneously. Leveraging marine transportation, this service will bypass congested highways, reducing emissions, roadway wear, and operational risk. It will also contribute to citywide decarbonization goals by deploying next-generation marine vessel technology and supporting shoreside infrastructure. HPMT is expected to open in Q2 2030, with the barge operation coming online at approximately the same time.

NYCEDC says that it may use the information in responses to the RFEI to inform future RFPs and procurements. NYCEDC will be looking closely at the responses to the questions stated in the RFEI, including but not limited to: Electrification/ZE requirements, vessel size and design, operations, service concept, charging stations, and electric / ZE tug feasibility, as well as the overall quality of the proposal, experience of the firms identified, and demonstrated successful experience in performing services similar to those encompassed in the RFEI.