NY-NJ ports reopen

New York, New York—Cargo is finally starting to flow again at the terminals operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The facilities have been been completely shut down—no vessel, rail or truck traffic permitted—since Hurricane Sandy hit a week ago.

The Elizabeth Port Authority Marine Terminal in New Jersey was the first of the port’s terminals to open. Five cargo vessels are scheduled to arrive at the terminal today.

The Maher Terminal is also open, and is expecting four cargo vessels, and one vessel is scheduled to arrive at APM Terminal.

Although power has been restored and ships are being received, the terminals are still coming up to full operating capacity. All roadways are cleared for safe passage and Port Authority Police Department will direct traffic for all port employees.

Since the storm subsided, the Port Authority has been working around the clock cleaning up the damage caused by a 1.2m (four foot) surge of water. Sandy damaged roadways, displaced shipping containers and fixed rail lines, ruined electrical systems and destroyed cargo.

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest on the east coast of North America.