GLOBAL Container Terminals (GCT) has unveiled plans for a multi-million dollar development of a 70-acre container terminal on the Bayonne, New Jersey, which stands to be the most advanced in the port when it opens in 2014.

With 50 feet alongside, GTC will be able to handle the largest container vessels in the world and will have total capacity to move 1.7 million TEU per year, making it one of the most efficient port terminals in the country based on throughput density per acre.

"The new Global development project, in addition to the many improvements currently underway, clearly demonstrates a long-term commitment from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) to protect the port's pre-eminent position as a critical US gateway for global commerce," said James Devine, president and CEO, Global Container Terminals USA.

"Our expanded Global terminal facility will come on line precisely in time to help meet the demands of larger vessels transiting the Suez Canal and new wider Panama Canal," said Mr. Devine. "Since the earliest days of this country, the bi-state port has been the engine that drives the region. We plan to be a very important piston in that engine going into the future."

The Port Authority acquired the land for the project adjoining Global's existing facility in 2007, ensuring that scarce waterfront property would be used for waterfront business. A new shared gate configuration on the Port Jersey peninsula for both the existing Global facility and the new expansion area will increase trucking efficiency while mitigating potential environmental impact. The new gate facilities at Global terminal will be expanded to 29 lanes from 16 lanes.

In addition, GCT will offer intermodal rail connections via the adjacent redeveloped Greenville rail transfer facility. Massive rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs) will sort the container stacks to optimise productivity linking quayside crane operations with land-side connections to truck and rail transportation. Ten container stacks will be serviced by 20 new RMGs. Each container stack is capable of storing 1,665 TEU, including plugs for refrigerated equipment.

The terminal development project is expected to create construction-related jobs over the next three years. It will generate new high-technology longshoremen positions and contribute significantly to the more than US$6.4 billion in additional personal and business income the port is expected to generate from capital investments through 2017.

"We anticipate adding more advanced job opportunities as we improve the competitiveness and throughput of the port," said Mr Devine. "We will provide the training as well as the job opportunities for ILA workers to transition into the next generation of container handling. At Global and at New York Container Terminal in Staten Island, we want to continue building a vibrant working waterfront in the Port of New York and New Jersey."