New York City Launches Innovative Freight Pilot Utilizing Waterways

In a groundbreaking move to tackle urban congestion and reduce emissions, New York City has introduced a new freight pilot program that leverages its waterways for the transportation of goods. This initiative, city leaders assert, promises to not only ease traffic but also enhance the reliability of deliveries across the metropolis.

Overview of the Marine Freight Route

The pilot program activates a dedicated marine freight route between Manhattan’s Pier 79 and the Brooklyn Marine Terminal in Red Hook, forming a critical part of the city’s Blue Highways initiative. By transporting goods via ferry across New York Harbor and subsequently utilizing electric cargo bikes for Manhattan deliveries, the pilot aims to serve an area ranging from 23rd Street to 70th Street.

NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez remarked, “Waterways are the new highways in New York City! Our waterways built this city—now they’re helping us create a cleaner, safer, and smarter way to deliver the goods New Yorkers rely on.” He emphasized that the Blue Highways program represents a significant evolution from the 20th-century freight system to a more sustainable 21st-century approach.

Operational Details

DutchX and NY Waterway have partnered to operate this new route, which is expected to manage between 300 to 400 parcels daily, initially focusing on deliveries of cosmetics, fashion items, lifestyle goods, and small household products. As the pilot progresses, the city intends to scale up operations while meticulously tracking logistics metrics such as capacity and the reduction of truck miles traveled.

Addressing Congestion and Pollution

Currently, nearly 90 percent of freight entering and moving through New York City relies on trucks. This heavy reliance contributes to significant congestion at critical points in the city, exacerbating pollution levels in densely populated neighborhoods. City officials highlight that utilizing waterways for freight transportation not only alleviates vehicular traffic but also contributes to a more resilient supply chain, tapping into New York’s storied legacy as a bustling port city.

“Our city’s waterways are key to getting trucks off Manhattan streets while getting freight delivered more quickly and efficiently than ever before,” stated Armand Pohan, President and CEO of NY Waterway.

Future Plans for Expansion

In addition to the current route, city officials are exploring similar water-based freight models at three other locations: Pier 11, the 34th Street Pier, and the Battery Maritime Building. The long-term vision is to establish a comprehensive network of water routes capable of managing increasing online orders while minimizing the number of trucks on city streets.

“Launching service from Atlantic Basin to Pier 79 shows what becomes possible when the waterways support the final stages of the supply chain,” asserted Marcus Hoed, Co-Founder of DutchX. “It proves that better options exist, and this is only the beginning of what this system will unlock.”

The introduction of this innovative freight pilot marks a significant step towards a cleaner and more efficient urban supply chain, aligning with the city’s broader sustainability goals.