STATE PIER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

Vision Statement

It is the goal of the Connecticut Port Authority to make generational improvements to transform the State Pier in New London into a state-of-the-art heavy-lift capable port facility that will accommodate a wide variety of cargoes, including wind turbine generator staging and assembly. The proposed State Pier infrastructure improvements are being designed to address previously identified facility shortcomings, and enhance the State Pier facility and site conditions to accommodate future cargo needs and capitalize on opportunities for the State of Connecticut.

Project Details

On February 11, 2020, the Connecticut Port Authority (CPA), the state’s quasi-public agency responsible for promoting and coordinating the development of the state’s ports and maritime industry, terminal operator Gateway Terminal, and joint venture partners Ørsted and Eversource finalized a harbor development agreement to redevelop State Pier in New London into a state-of-the-art heavy-lift capable port facility and bring hundreds of well-paying jobs to the area.

Project Highlights

The infrastructure upgrades will re-make State Pier as a modern, heavy-lift capable port and meet the facility requirements of the offshore wind industry.
The improvements will benefit the port’s long-term growth by increasing its capacity to accommodate heavy-lift cargo for years to come while maintaining its freight rail link.
More than 400 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the project. Construction is expected to begin in early 2021 and be substantially completed by January 2023.
Following the completion of the infrastructure upgrade project, the Ørsted and Eversource joint venture company will enter into a ten-year lease agreement, which will allow it to use State Pier for wind turbine generator pre-assembly and staging, resulting in approximately 400 new offshore wind-related jobs created at the site.
During periods where Ørsted and Eversource are not using State Pier, Gateway Terminal will market the facility to other customers to ensure maximum utilization of State Pier.

Schedule

"In addition to the hundreds of well-paying, local jobs that will be created to construct our wind projects out of State Pier, we have also committed millions in local community investments as part of our Revolution Wind project and we will be partnering with local companies to develop a local offshore wind supply chain. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the state, the Connecticut Port Authority, Gateway Terminal and other local partners to bring the offshore wind industry to Connecticut’s shores, advance our clean energy economy, and achieve our climate goals."

Joe Nolan

Eversource Executive Vice President of Strategy, Customer & Corporate Relations

"Economic growth has remained a top priority throughout our administration, and this agreement paves the way for a surge in activity in New London and Eastern Connecticut that will cement the state’s position as a leader in the industry. This new partnership achieves the goal of job growth in a critical part of our state, while making investments in clean energy, showing the world, yet again, that Connecticut will be a leader in addressing climate change."

Governor Ned Lamont

Governor of Connecticut

"The future of State Pier is vital to the Connecticut Port Authority’s and the state’s success. This tremendous step forward will maximize the location and assets of State Pier, boosting the region’s economy in the process."

David Kooris

Chair of the CPA

"Connecticut has been attempting to turn the state pier into a world class port to foster economic development for more than a century. World and local events have intervened to slow the process and the pier has never been able to deliver on its potential. Now, in 2020, we have the opportunity to finally deliver on this promise. By entering into the Harbor Development Agreement with our partners, we will be able to turn the pier into a wind energy construction hub and serve as a catalyst for other existing businesses in the region. Our experience and expertise will be utilized by CPA to bid, manage, and execute the contracts to redevelop the pier for the lowest cost and ahead of schedule."

Konstantinos Diamantis

Connecticut Office of Policy and Management Deputy Secretary

"Like our partner in the State of Connecticut, both Ørsted and Eversource believe taking on climate change is imperative, and offshore wind is one of the solutions that will not only help Connecticut shift away from fossil fuels but also drive significant economic development and local community investment. We are confident that the revitalization of State Pier will put New London on the map for the offshore wind industry, attracting manufacturers and suppliers to choose the New London region, bringing along economic benefits and growth. We salute Governor Lamont and the state for all their hard work to finalize the agreement and launching Connecticut’s next great maritime industry."

Thomas Brostrøm

Ørsted U.S. Offshore Wind CEO

"As the terminal operator of State Pier, Gateway is focused on maximizing port activity. Our partnership with the State of Connecticut, Ørsted, and Eversource to transform State Pier into an offshore wind assembly hub will unlock an unparalleled growth opportunity for New London and its surrounding communities. We expect a meaningful increase in vessel traffic, which will lead to job creation and an increase in revenue for both the Connecticut Port Authority and the City of New London. Aside from capitalizing on the high-growth offshore wind industry, State Pier will be better positioned to handle conventional cargo. We appreciate the hard work of Governor Lamont and his team to finalize the tri-party partnership and believe that the Lamont administration’s leadership in redeveloping State Pier will have a lasting impact on the Connecticut economy for generations to come."

Matthew Satnick and Philippe De Montigny

co-CEOs of Enstructure, Gateway’s parent company