A study done by the New York Shipping Association has shown a 3.5% increase in job generation at the United States Port of New York and New Jersey. This increase happened between 2008 and 2010 and it is great news for the shipping industry.
New Director Named
This is exciting news for a port that just gained a new executive director, Patrick Foye. The new director will officially begin work on November 1st. David Samson, Port Authority Chairman, will assist Foye with the transition through the end of the year.
Increasing Job Creation
Full time jobs at the port increased by 10,200, to create a total of 279,200 jobs. More than a thousand of the jobs are in the public sector; this is made up of jobs at the Border Patrol, Customs, and federal agencies. Most of the jobs generated were in the private sector, which is made up of warehousing and distribution, and containerized cargo operations. These jobs involve aiding in transport of the thousands of standard, steel shipping containers that come and go through the port each day.
A Bright Spot in a Bad Economy
The Shipping Association president, Joseph Curto, marked the positive job generation as “one of the bright spots”. The Port Authority emphasized the importance it places on maintaining a competitive and productive edge. The Authority released this statement in writing: “We are committed to leading the competition, so we can attract new businesses and the new jobs and revenues that come with it”.
The annual container volume in the East coast area rose by 16% in 2010. And the increase is continuing: volume for 2011 is 5.5% more than last year, as reported by the Port Authority.
A. Strauss-Wieder of Westfield compiled the study. He predicted a steady increase in jobs at the New York and New Jersey Port through 2017 due to the port expansions that are happening. This projected growth includes the 7,000 construction jobs a year, as well as the potential three and a half thousand Port jobs.