NORTH ATLANTIC COAST DEEP WATER PORT FACILITIES STUDY

By 1974, the world fleet of bulk vessels in service over 100,000 tons will number about 800, of which over 400 will be in excess of 200,000 tons each. By 1980 the 200,000-300,000 ton tanker and bulk carriers will become the standard ship for world bulk trade movements. To operate at full load draft, these vessels will require water depths from 60 to 85 feet. To date the North Atlantic has not been serviced by the super-ships. The reason for this is two-fold: first, the U.S. North Atlantic Ports are wholly inadequate, and second, these ships have been used to transport crude on the longer service routes. However, in the near future most forecasts of oil demand in this country far outstrip the productive capacity of domestic sources. As a result the U.S. will become more dependent upon foreign imports. This increasing dependence on foreign sources and the distance over which it must be transported will result in the use of super ships in North Atlantic Ports. In recent years oil companies have proposed the development of facilities to handle these ships. However, they have met with considerable opposition on environmental grounds. Apparently for that reason oil companies have begun to move their refineries to Canada and the Bahamas where adequate facilities have been provided. Recognizing the precarious position in which this country will be placed, being dependent upon other countries for its energy source, the Congress of the United States has directed the Corps of Engineers to determine if and how facilities should be provided in the North Atlantic to handle very deep draft vessels. The paper presents and discusses the deliberations which the Corps is making in an attempt to respond to the directive of Congress. In making its final recommendation the Corps will be faced with several considerations including the environment, economics, social welfare and national security which must be weighed in making a decision of this magnitude.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Papers presented at the 8th Annual M.T.S. Conference, Washington, D.C., Sept. 11-13, 1972. Contained in bound volume Preprints, cost $16.00.
• Corporate Authors:

  Marine Technology Society

  5565 Sterrett Place, Suite 108
  Columbia, MD  United States  21044
• Authors:
  • Kaigh, R S
• Publication Date: 1972-9

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bulk cargo terminals; Deepwater harbors; Petroleum terminals; Ports; Single point moorings; Supertankers
• Geographic Terms: East Coast (United States)
• Old TRIS Terms: Spm description and plans
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00040874
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Marine Technology Society
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 14 1976 12:00AM