15th May 1998
Charlotte, NC and Copenhagen, Denmark - Maersk Inc. and Sea-Land Service, Inc. have jointly extended a request for proposal (RFP) to various East Coast port administrations as the two companies consider sites for a major intermodal container terminal. Receiving the RFPs are the ports of Baltimore, Boston, Halifax, New York/New Jersey, Norfolk, Philadelphia and Quonset Point, Rhode Island.
Philip V. Connors, executive vice president of Maersk Inc. stated, "We have had many discussions over the last several months about the most cost-effective way to bring cargo through the U.S. East Coast. We think that from this process, the true costs, values and alternatives facing our operating alliance will emerge."
Maersk and Sea-Land anticipate that the facility requirements will include:
the capacity for handling 550,000 lifts annually
6000 contiguous feet of berth
up to 16 post-panamax cranes
on-dock or near dock rail
"We are very carefully and comprehensively looking at all options for efficient, productive service in the mid-Atlantic to northeastern sector of the U.S., " said Anthony A. Scioscia, senior vice president - North America Operating Group for Sea-Land.
The proposal process should be complete by mid-summer with a decision expected soon thereafter.
Maersk and Sea-Land share vessels, containers, terminals and other assets through operating alliance agreements that began in 1995.
Maersk Line is a part of the A.P. Moller Group of Copenhagen, Denmark. Sea-Land Service, Inc. is a unit of CSX Corporation of Richmond, VA.
Barrington, RI - Showing solidarity with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA), Save The Bay participated in a press conference to support of Rhode Island's application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to prohibit discharge of sewage from boats in Narragansett Bay.
DEM, RIMTA and Save The Bay held the press conference in response to an effort by Boat U.S. and Cruising World to convince the public that the no discharge designation would be bad for boating. Boat U.S. sent an action alert to its members urging them to oppose Rhode Island's application for the no discharge designation. An article in Cruising World questioned the value of such a designation.
"Boaters want clean water for boating, swimming and fishing. During the summer season, sewage from boats creates significant water quality problems in some areas of the Bay. This sewage poses serious health risks to swimmers, contributes to the closure of shellfish beds, and can make boating less appealing" said John Torgan, Narragansett BayKeeper for Save The Bay.
"Designating the Bay as a no discharge zone is a strong step toward eliminating this problem. By adhering to the no discharge zones, boaters will be good neighbors - to each other, to swimmers and the environment."Similar designations on Block Island, the Great Lakes and other parts of the country have produced dramatic improvements in water quality in recent years. Since Block Island was designated a no discharge zone, shellfish beds that were closed every summer have been re-opened.
Since 1994, Save The Bay has worked closely with DEM, RIMTA and local marinas to promote the use of marine pump-out stations through public education, free pump-outs and maps of pump-out locations. This education effort was funded by a $16,000 grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
For more information, please call Save The Bay at 401-272-3540.
Warwick, RI - Save The Bay and Conservation Law Foundation today formally announced their partnership to press for responsible redevelopment of Quonset Point/Davisville and limit environmental harm to Narragansett Bay. Save The Bay has secured Conservation Law Foundation as its legal counsel for any upcoming state and federal permitting processes. Conservation Law Foundation will also be providing expertise on port economics and communications.
"Save The Bay is very excited about this partnership," said Curt Spalding, executive director of Save The Bay. "We have worked successfully with Conservation Law Foundation in the past to preserve public access at Black Point. Conservation Law Foundation has the legal expertise we will need if this project goes to permitting. We also will benefit from Conservation Law Foundation's knowledge of the economics of port development. They will provide a regional perspective, giving Save The Bay access to regional and national data."
"Conservation Law Foundation is proud to be representing Save The Bay and working to ensure that redevelopment plans for Quonset Point/Davisville comply with state and federal environmental laws," said Stephanie Pollack, vice president of Conservation Law Foundation. "Working with Save The Bay, we are confident we can ensure that this project is reshaped to contribute to an economically and environmentally sound future for all of Narragansett Bay."
Save The Bay and Conservation Law Foundation have identified the proposal to build a megaport on Narragansett Bay as a top priority issue for both organizations. The partnership announced today demonstrates a strong commitment by both organizations to ensure that redevelopment of Quonset Point does not harm the environment or the jobs that depend on a clean and healthy Bay to survive.
Save The Bay's mission is to ensure that the environmental quality of Narragansett Bay and its watershed is restored and protected from the harmful effects of human activity. Save The Bay seeks carefully planned use of the Bay and its watershed to allow the natural system to function normally and healthfully, both now and for the future.
Based in Boston, the Conservation Law Foundation is a nonprofit, public interest, member supported organization that works to protect the people, natural resources and communities of New England. The Conservation Law Foundation was founded in 1966 and has extensive experience in opposing environmentally unsound projects in Rhode Island and working for sound port development projects throughout the region.
For more information on Save the Bay, Contact: savebay@savethebay.org