NYCEDC Hosts International Port-City Conference, Drawing Hundreds of Urban Port and Maritime Industry Leaders to Brooklyn Waterfront

NYCEDC Co-Hosted “World Conference Cities & Ports” with AIVP from November 18—21, Highlighting Major Progress and Partnership Opportunities on New York City’s “Harbor of the Future”

Special Sessions Focused on Vision Plan for Brooklyn Marine Terminal and “Blue Highways” Initiative

NEW YORK, NY—New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) today announced the successful conclusion of the 20th annual “World Conference Cities & Ports,” an event co-hosted with the International Association of Cities & Ports (AIVP) that drew hundreds of international urban leaders and maritime industry executives to the Brooklyn waterfront for four days of programming. NYCEDC led numerous sessions during the conference, highlighting major recent progress on a number of “Harbor of the Future” projects, including the approved vision plan for the Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT), the vision for the Hunts Point Marine Terminal, the development of micro-freight at the Downtown Skyport, NYC Ferry network optimization, and the “Blue Highways” initiative.

“New York City’s Harbor of the Future isn’t just a vision. It’s taking shape at waterfront sites across the city, and we were proud to show it off to global port leaders as a host city for this year’s AIVP World Conference,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “From an offshore wind port at Sunset Park to a modern container port at the Brooklyn Marine Terminal to the ‘Blue Highways’ network connecting it all, the City is reactivating our waterfronts as engines of jobs and opportunity for New Yorkers.”

“Port cities stand at the crossroads of the world’s greatest transitions — ecological, economic, and social,” said AIVP General Manager Bruno Delsalle. “In New York, we have seen once again how innovation and collaboration can turn challenges into shared opportunities. Together, cities and ports can build the sustainable and resilient waterfronts our planet needs.”

The World Conference also garnered additional attention for NYCEDC’s ongoing request for expressions of interest for BMT, which closes on December 15 and is seeking input on the optimal size, layout, and economically viable uses of the planned commercial port at the site. At the same time, the approved Vision Plan for BMT is currently moving forward through environmental review, and will eventually lead to one or more Requests for Proposals (“RFPs”) for developers, port operators, and maritime users for the proposed port and industrial facility.

The program also spotlighted NYCEDC’s ambitious Master Plan for the redevelopment and modernization of the Manhattan Cruise Terminal (MCT) that was released last week. This landmark project will fully electrify the port and secure New York City’s place as a global leader in cruise travel and tourism industries for generations to come. The Master Plan, based on more than 12 months of deep community engagement, will deliver much needed quality of life improvements for residents and visitors to the west side of Manhattan.

NYCEDC is engaged in growing the drones and robotics industries in New York City by enabling pilot projects, expanding access to labs and R&D space, connecting startups with public sector challenges, and investing in workforce development. Earlier this week, NYCEDC released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design and implementation of mapping technologies to enable more efficient waterfront inspection.

“New York began as a waterfront, industrial city, and our working waterfronts remain one of our greatest assets,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “I’m grateful to AIVP and EDC for bringing industry leaders and elected officials together to envision a future where our ports connect Blue Highways, promote climate resiliency and shore stabilization, create careers, and connect our community to global trade and manufacturing, right here in New York City. This is important now more than ever as Brooklyn envisions the port of our future at Brooklyn Marine Terminal.”

Red Hook Terminals was proud to serve as a sponsor of this week’s AIVP Port Cities Conference in Brooklyn, bringing together global leaders to explore the future of sustainable, resilient waterfronts. As part of the opening ceremony, Michael Stamatis, President & CEO of Red Hook Terminals, delivered welcoming remarks highlighting Brooklyn’s working waterfront, the critical role of ports in the regional economy, and the importance of collaboration between industry, communities, and government to drive cleaner, greener maritime operations.

“Our involvement with AIVP reflects our commitment to building a modern, sustainable port that creates jobs, reduces emissions, and strengthens the connection between the people of Brooklyn and their waterfront,” said Red Hook Terminals President & CEO Michael Stamatis. “We look forward to continuing this dialogue and helping make New York Harbor a global model for innovative, community-focused port development.”

The conference concluded with the passing of the baton between NYCEDC’s President & CEO Andrew Kimball to next year’s host: the port and city of Dunkirk, represented respectively by Maurice George, President of the Port, and Marjorie Eloy, Deputy Mayor of the Communauté Urbaine of Dunkirk. The final session highlighted the importance of continued exchanges during next year’s AIVP conference in order to create sustainable, accessible and innovative ports and port cities.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About AIVP
The International Association of Cities & Ports (AIVP) is the leading global network of cities and ports engaged in sustainable urban-port development. Since 1988, AIVP has worked to strengthen the relationship between cities and ports through innovation, cooperation, and sustainability.