Ocean Planning in the Northeast

Navigating the sometimes-unforgiving ocean conditions, maritime shipping companies compete with overland-based transportation companies moving goods along the Interstate 95 corridor. They must operate just above the profit margin to attract and maintain clients who demand that products reach their destinations on a tight schedule. To keep maritime shipping costs as low as possible, vessels transport goods along the shortest distance, least-cost path; even a minor change to a route could increase the cost of shipping.

Ocean planning can help ensure an efficient and competitive maritime transport industry. It can provide tools to analyze the operational and economic implications for the shipping industry of ocean use decisions and policies, and can support the better integration of regional transportation planning across road, rail, and water modes.

Links, Documents, and Reports

• White Paper: Overview of the Maritime Commerce Sector in the Northeastern United States, July 2015 (PDF) (30pp, 1M)
• Maritime Commerce on the Northeast Ocean Data Portal
• Tug and Barge Industry Meeting Summary (PDF) (14pp, 478k)
• Maritime Commerce Factsheet (PDF) (2pp, 2.8M)
• Summaries from November and December 2012 working sessions (PDF) (19pp, 583K)
• White paper summarizing the state of the maritime commerce in the region (PDF) (15pp, 783K)

Industry representatives have also reviewed maps of critical navigation and operational areas, potential hazards affecting maritime operations, and commercial vessel traffic using Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) data, NOAA nautical charts, and other data sources. Ocean planning staff have revised draft maps, incorporating industry suggestions and changes, for inclusion in the data portal.

In early 2015, ocean planning staff convened a series of meetings with ports and shipping representatives from New York through Maine to discuss updated AIS-based maps. These maps contained updated data and also explored the utility of separating types of shipping traffic (tug/tow separate from cargo, tanker, passenger vessel, etc.). Additional focal points of the discussion included future trends and emerging issues.

Contacts at national- and international-level shipping associations also provided feedback on these topics. Results of these meetings and discussions will be summarized for RPB review and discussion at its upcoming meetings.

Schedule of Meetings:

• March 10, 2015: Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport); Boston, MA
• March 18, 2015: Port of Portsmouth Advisory Commission Meeting; Portsmouth, NH
• March 18, 2015: Port of New York & New Jersey Harbor Operations Commission Meeting; New York City, NY
• April 14, 2015: Connecticut Maritime Coalition, Newington, CT
• March and April, 2015: several additional meetings with Maine and Rhode Island ports and maritime commerce contacts

The maps, data sets, and white papers created during this process will feed into the ocean planning process being implemented by the Northeast Regional Planning Body.

• Pressure is increasing for container ports to deepen navigation channels to accommodate larger container ships because of international industry trends, the expansion of the Panama Canal, and other economic factors. At the same time, maintenance of current channel depths is an ongoing challenge and options for disposal of associated dredge material are limited.
• Regulations to achieve environmental objectives (such as prevention of right whale ship strikes or reduction of air pollution) could affect the ability of shipping companies to operate in their preferred or established way. These regulations may also disproportionately affect different types of marine commerce.
• Energy development and future development of ”coastal highways”—moving people and cargo by sea rather than land or air—may require port expansion and could increase commercial traffic in certain areas.
• The cruise ship industry is becoming increasingly important in New England, requiring long-term planning for scheduling assurance.
• Climate change is expected to affect facilities and infrastructure through rising sea levels, increased storminess, and coastal flooding.

Key data gaps and limitations identified by industry stakeholders and experts:

• Industry participants identified additional data to include on maps, such as pilot boarding areas, traditionally used anchorage grounds, hazardous areas, and unofficial routes preferred during inclement weather.
• Industry participants identified limitations of AIS data (their reliability and completeness), but also gave guidance on further analysis of AIS to understand patterns associated with different types of marine commerce.
• Data on the economic implications of shifts in commercial vessel traffic and cargo flows, as well as models of regional transportation across the marine/land boundary, could help inform ocean planning for the region.

• As a result of recent discussions with the industry, ocean planning staff are working to develop new data to characterize the maritime use of ocean waters in the Northeast. This includes maps of traffic patterns by vessel type and cargo using AIS, pilot boarding areas, safety and security zones, and traditionally used anchorages.
• Over the next several months, relevant agencies and industry representatives will be asked to review these and other interim information products. Agencies and industry representatives will also be asked to consider industry-related issues as they relate to regional ocean planning goals and objectives.

Map of commercial vessel traffic on the Northeast Ocean Data website. All maps are developed through a scientific process that incorporates input from industry, scientists, and managers.