Press Release
September 2018
Port of Davisville Breaks Record for Monthly
Auto Imports
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Vehicle imports increased nearly 25% in August 2018
Quonset, R.I. – Quonset Business Park’s Port of Davisville had a record-breaking month for auto imports in August 2018. The Port saw a total of 35,000 vehicles unloaded, breaking the previously held record in November of 2017 by nearly 25%.
The Port of Davisville is Rhode Island’s only public port and offers four berths for ships along with over 60 acres of terminal storage. Over the past 20 years, the Port has seen unprecedented growth of over 547%. The Port now handles six times the volume of auto imports than were received in 1996.
“We are excited to see the Port of Davisville break yet another import record this past August,” said Steven King, Managing Director of the Quonset Development Corporation. “We look forward to the continued growth of auto imports and other industries as we embark on critical upgrades to Pier 2.”
A top ten Auto Importer in North America, the Port of Davisville will be further positioned for success with upcoming planned improvements to Pier 2, the “workhouse” of the Port. The ongoing renovation of Pier 2 will be instrumental in increasing the Port’s capacity. The renovations were announced in 2016 by Gov. Gina Raimondo and include the construction of a new steel sheet along the north, south and east faces of the pier and dredging the port to accommodate large tankers. These renovations will give the Port new berthing spaces for unloading of cars and other cargo.
“I am proud of the tremendous growth at the Port of Davisville,” said Port Director Bob Blackburn. “This record-breaking month is a testament to our hard work at the Port, and the strong support of the Quonset Development Corporation.”
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed announced in Spring 2018 that the Port of Davisville was selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation to be part of a new maritime highway initiative, joining the ports of Brooklyn, NY and Newark, NJ in operating a twice weekly service. This initiative will provide an alternative mode of transportation for businesses that reduces transportation costs, reduces highways congestion and increases the overall efficiency of the national transportation system.
About Quonset Development Corporation: The Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) manages the Quonset Business Park, home to more than 200 companies, nearly 12,000 full and part-time jobs, and the Port of Davisville, one of the Top Ten auto-importers in North America. The 3,212-acre Business Park is Rhode Island’s leading engine of job growth and economic development.