Commercial Development Co. Inc. (CDC) has announced an expanded port operations agreement at the Brayton Point Commerce Center, a former Massachusetts coal plant being redeveloped into an offshore wind hub.
On behalf of its affiliate Brayton Point LLC, owner and developer of the Brayton Point Commerce Center, CDC has signed a port operations and lease agreement with Patriot Stevedoring + Logistics LLC. The agreement further builds upon CDC’s vision to transform the former coal-fired power plant site in Somerset into a logistics port, manufacturing hub and support center for the offshore wind sector.
The Brayton Point Commerce Center is equipped with a 34-foot-deep water port capable of berthing large trans-Atlantic merchant vessels. Once used to import coal, the port will now be used for bulk cargo, heavy-lift cargoes and building materials for offshore wind. CDC believes expanding port operations at Brayton Point will be key to attracting new industrial and manufacturing tenants and will bring favorable economic impacts to the region.
“This port operations agreement is another step in the transition of Brayton Point into one of the premier marine commerce terminals in the Northeast; the site is well-positioned to support offshore wind, but the possibilities for other sectors are available, as well,” says Stephen Collins, executive vice president of CDC.
With this agreement, Patriot will now manage operations of the marine commerce terminal and create a regional logistics port with global distribution capabilities. Patriot represents a joint venture between Carver Stevedoring Services Inc. and Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. for the purposes of managing the port operations at Brayton Point Terminal.
“Jointly, the goal of Carver and Pangaea here at the Brayton Point Commerce Center, through Patriot Stevedoring + Logistics, is to link Pangaea’s international ocean freight network with Carver’s proven shore-side port logistics,” state Neil McLaughlin and Stephen Kelly, co-vice presidents of Patriot. “In doing so, we will bring the shippers, receivers and project groups from around the world here to the doorstep of New England through the port of Brayton Point. We are extremely excited about this opportunity and the opportunity to generate economic growth here in Somerset, Mass., and beyond.”
The Brayton Point Commerce Center is expected to begin port operations by early 2020.
