Maritime Operators, Electric Barge Service Between Brooklyn Marine Terminal and Hunts Point Marine Terminal RFEI

New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) invites expressions of interest from maritime operators, vessel designers, logistics firms, and technology partners for the development of an all-electric and/or zero-emissions (ZE) container-on-barge and associated tug service between the Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) and the future Hunts Point Marine Terminal (HPMT), as well as the potential for future expansion to other strategic locations in New York Harbor and along the East Coast. This service represents a strategic investment in improving food resiliency, strengthening redundancy in the regional supply chain, and reducing dependence on truck-dominated corridors. This service is also being designed to catalyze investment into zero emissions maritime technology in NY Harbor. 

The BMT-HPMT electric/ZE barge service is intended to provide a reliable, zero-emission marine corridor capable of transporting at least 100 40-foot refrigerated containers (reefers) per sailing, with sufficient onboard electrical capacity and reefer connections to maintain continuous refrigeration of all containers during transit. In planning HPMT, NYCEDC designed the terminal to accommodate 150 40-foot containers moving in each direction simultaneously. Leveraging marine transportation, this service will bypass congested highways, reducing emissions, roadway wear, and operational risk. It will also contribute to citywide decarbonization goals by deploying next-generation marine vessel technology and supporting shoreside infrastructure. HPMT is expected to open in Q2 2030, with the barge operation coming online at approximately the same time.

NYCEDC may use the information in responses to the RFEI to inform future RFPs and procurements. NYCEDC will be looking closely at the responses to the questions stated in the RFEI, including but not limited to: Electrification/ZE requirements, vessel size and design, operations, service concept, charging stations, and electric / ZE tug feasibility, as well as the overall quality of the proposal, experience of the firms identified, and demonstrated successful experience in performing services similar to those encompassed in the RFEI.

Optional Informational Session

An optional informational. session will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 10 A.M. EST, to be held virtually. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by using the RSVP web form available here on or before Friday, June 5, 2026.

Inquiries

Respondents may submit questions and/or request clarifications from NYCEDC no later than 5PM on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFEI should be directed to the Q&A web form available here. Answers to all questions will be posted by Friday, September 18, 2026. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFEI will not be accepted after 5 PM on Thursday, September 10, 2026, however, technical questions pertaining to downloading and submitting proposals to this RFEI may be directed to [email protected] on or before 4PM on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Submission Guidelines

Detailed submission guidelines and requirements are outlined in the RFP, available as of May 14, 2026.

Please submit your response via electronic upload by clicking here and uploading your proposal.

Responses are due no later than October 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Please submit all documents in a single .zip file labeled with your company name. The Chrome Browser is the preferred method for uploading.

M/WBE

It is the policy of NYCEDC to comply with all federal, state and City laws and regulations which prohibit unlawful discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status and other protected category and to take affirmative action in working with contracting parties to ensure certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) share in the economic opportunities generated by NYCEDC’s projects and initiatives.

Companies who have been certified with the New York City Department of Small Business Services as Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (“M/WBE”) are strongly encouraged to apply. To learn more about M/WBE certification, NYCEDC’s M/WBE program, and programs to assist M/WBE in navigating current and upcoming opportunities on NYCEDC projects, please visit https://sbsconnect.nyc.gov/certification-directory-search/ and edc.nyc/opportunity-mwdbe.