NYC To Remove Decommissioned Jail Barge, Develop New Hunts Point Marine Terminal

New York City has announced plans to permanently remove the decommissioned Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center (VCBC) barge from Hunts Point and develop a new marine terminal at the site.

The announcement was made jointly by Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball, and Department of Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie.

The decision fulfils a key recommendation of the city’s “Hunts Point Forward” plan, a long-term strategy to revitalise the South Bronx neighbourhood.

The planned Hunts Point Marine Terminal will act as a freight transfer hub, moving cargo from ships onto barges and ferries for last-mile delivery across New York City. This process is expected to remove around 9,000 truck trips from city streets every month, reducing traffic congestion and road wear.

According to NYCEDC estimates, the facility will support 400 construction jobs, 100 permanent jobs, and generate $3.9 billion in economic impact over the next three decades.

The terminal is intended to connect with other port facilities along the East Coast, including the Brooklyn Marine Terminal, forming a central node in the city’s freight network.

This project is part of the city’s Blue Highways initiative, which promotes using waterways for freight transport to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and strengthen resilience in supply chains.

The City of New York has committed over $28 million in its Fiscal Year 2026 budget to improve waterfront access at Hunts Point. Plans include extending the existing bike network along Food Center Drive to Halleck Street and enhancing greenway access.

NYCEDC will also issue a request for proposals to remove the VCBC barge, freeing up space for the new terminal. The agency will conduct a land remediation project to address historic pollution on the site, with completion expected in 2027.

The Hunts Point Marine Terminal will be supported by an Economic Mobility Network, backed by a $1.4 million award to the Greater Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation (GHPEDC). This initiative will connect local residents to training and employment opportunities, particularly in green economy industries.

The network will involve community partners such as WorkforceBX, The Point CDC, The Hope Program, Bronx River Alliance, Rocking the Boat, Fulton Fish Market Cooperative, Empire Clean Cities, and the Hunts Point Longwood Community Coalition.

The Hunts Point project is part of Mayor Adams’ wider plan to develop a Harbour of the Future, a network of maritime and innovation hubs across the city. Other projects include:

• The Downtown Skyport for sustainable freight and last-mile delivery
• Upgrades to the Brooklyn Marine Terminal funded by an $18 million investment and a $164 million federal grant
• The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal for offshore wind projects
• Climate innovation hubs such as BATWorks at the Brooklyn Army Terminal

In Hunts Point, the new terminal will complement Con Agg Global’s nearby Blue Highways facility at the Food Distribution Center, which will initially handle construction materials such as sand, gravel, and stone.

That facility is expected to reduce about 1,000 truck trips per month and will expand in the future to handle more cargo using a modular pier design.

Officials report that the Hunts Point Marine Terminal will improve the city’s freight network, advance environmental goals, and generate jobs while supporting the surrounding community.

The project supports New York City’s Green Economy Action Plan, which aims to create about 400,000 “green-collar” jobs by 2040 and make the city a leader in sustainable industry.

The initiative will enter a design and planning phase with more community consultation before construction starts.

Reference: NYC EDC

Source: Maritime Shipping News