The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) has released a request for proposals for professional marine terminal operators interested in managing and operating the Marine Commerce Terminal in New Bedford, a soon-to-be-completed multipurpose marine terminal located in New Bedford Harbor.
“Bringing on a professional operator to manage the facility will ensure that the terminal is fully-utilized to achieve the maximum economic and job creation benefits for Massachusetts, the South Coast region and the City of New Bedford,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton.
The terminal, which is scheduled to be completed next month, is designed to handle the heavy loads associated with the deployment of offshore wind projects, as well as the import and export of containers, bulk cargo, heavy machinery, and other types of marine cargo.
In September 2014, MassCEC announced a two-year lease agreement with Cape Wind to use the terminal to deploy its offshore wind project. The terminal operator MassCEC seeks will accommodate the Cape Wind project when it is ready to commence. The operator will be charged with working with future offshore wind developers to allow for the deployment of those projects while moving other cargo in and out of the facility during periods between deployments.
In April 2014, MassCEC issued a request for information from prospective operators and received responses from five terminal operators, including one based in Germany, one in Canada and three based in the United States. Respondents to the request for information indicated that they would be able to facilitate the deployment of offshore wind projects, as well as the handling of several other types of cargo such as heavy industrial equipment, steel, wood pellets, fresh fruit and paper products.
Through this request for proposals, MassCEC is seeking a qualified terminal operator with experience in shipping markets and handling of large project cargo. Proposals are due February 23, 2015.
Press release; Image: Apex Companies, LLC