A new economic impact study released today by the New York Shipping Association reveals that the port industry of New York and New Jersey accounted for nearly $12 billion in tax revenue, supported over 500,000 jobs, and was responsible for $36.1 billion in personal and $99.5 billion in business income in the region in 2019.

Supported by nearly $2.9 billion in recent infrastructure investment — including the raising of the Bayonne Bridge — the Port of New York and New Jersey has become the second largest container port in the United States and has been repositioned to meet 21st century needs, including new larger neo-Panamax vessels, according to the study conducted by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. The study looked at the port’s impact on a 31-county region in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It also provides data on the economic impact to the entire states of New York and New Jersey.

“The NJTPA focuses on maintaining and improving infrastructure for all users, including the roads and rails that keep freight moving through the region,” said NJTPA Chair Kathryn DeFillippo, a Morris County Freeholder. “This report highlights the impact those investments have on our region’s economy, including supporting more than 100,000 new jobs since 2016.”

According to the study, the port industry currently employs 239,100 workers and supports another 267,250 indirect jobs — a 26% increase in total supported jobs since 2016. Container volume has also increased by more than 1 million additional containers, or 19%, since 2016.

“In addition to the indisputable statistics through 2019, the pandemic has highlighted for the nation what we have always known – our supply chain is the lifeline of the economy and we must keep it working efficiently,” said John Nardi, President of the New York Shipping Association. “The public and private investments that have modernized the Port of New York and New Jersey into a national leader have proven their worth by supporting our region through more jobs and tax dollars than ever and by sustaining the efficient movement of goods at a critical time.”

The Port experienced a nearly 25% growth in cruise vessel calls since 2016. In addition, the region’s industrial and distribution space increased by tens of millions of square feet of capacity between 2016 and 2019, with more under construction.

As a result of this growth, the region’s maritime facilities handled:

• Nearly 7.5 million twenty-foot equivalent containers (TEUs), up from 6.3 million in 2016 and 5.8 million in 2012
• Close to 578,000 vehicles
• 50 million tons of cargo, up from 47.4 million tons in 2016 and 42 million tons in 2012
• Nearly 102,000 tons of breakbulk cargo
• 304 cruise vessels, up from 260 in 2016

“The Port of New and New Jersey supports tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs each year while ensuring the region’s supply chain remains intact and fluid to keep commerce flowing for thousands of businesses and much-needed supplies available to millions of residents,” said Sam Ruda, Port Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “Keeping the port fully operational as an essential business designated by the federal and state government and supporting these jobs – including the 100,000 new jobs created in the past three years – is even more important now during this period of economic uncertainty.”

From 2014 to 2019, public agencies and private port operator investments in the Port totaled nearly $2.9 billion, including raising the Bayonne Bridge and improvements in terminal buildings and berths, cargo handling equipment, intermodal rail infrastructure, roadways, and more. The total one-time economic impact of these investments was:

• Nearly 14,400 direct jobs and 25,200 total jobs in the region
• $2 billion in personal income
• $4.9 billion in business activity
• $607 million in federal, state, and local tax revenues, including $207 million in state and local tax revenues and $400 million in federal tax revenues

It is important to note the economic impact assessment of 2019 ongoing activities in the New York-New Jersey Port Industry provides a snapshot of the contributions made by the New York/New Jersey Port Industry, as measured in jobs, personal and business income and tax revenues. This economic value is ongoing – the continuing activities of the Port Industry generates and sustains jobs and revenues. As those activities grow and evolve, the economic value generated reflect the new conditions.

Read the full article here.