Poster: ProvPort Master Plan

ProvPort, Inc. operates the Port of Providence in Rhode Island, which is one of only two deep-water ports in New England, one of five active ports in Rhode Island, and one of the busiest deep-water ports in the northeast. Situated on the west side of the Providence River, the Port covers over 135 acres with 4,200 feet of linear berthing space. ProvPort services both domestic distribution and international trade clients, facilitating import of bulk material (e.g., salt, aluminum oxide, cement, liquid propane, and home heating oils), break bulk steel and lumber products, and components utilized in the growing offshore wind/clean energy industry. In 2023 a record 178 offshore wind vessel calls were completed, and even more are scheduled for 2024. The port has served five offshore wind development projects to date.  

The inception of international shipping along Providence’s waterfront dates to the 18th and early 19th centuries. Today, the Port is critical in servicing 2,000 square miles of the economy in Rhode Island, Northeastern Connecticut, and Southeastern Massachusetts. As Providence  continues to grow around the waterfront district, many commercial, environmental, technical, and social changes are impacting the region. The Port’s response to these changes is instrumental in creating a sustainable and economically resilient, if not thriving, use of this land. A comprehensive Master Plan demonstrates ProvPort’s commitment to this response.

ProvPort’s Master Plan will be conducted in collaboration with the port operator, the City of Providence and the University of Rhode Island to examine challenges and opportunities in consideration of the local, regional, national, and global context within which the Port and its partners operate. The planning team will conduct inclusive whole community approach that engages broad stakeholders to build consensus by adopting equitable and inclusive practices to integrate the needs and priorities of  the community and the Port. The Master Plan will evaluate and identify opportunities for investment in upgrades of outdated infrastructure, accommodation of future transportation and commerce growth areas, protection of facilities and tenants from the negative impacts of extreme storms, surge and sea level rise. The Plan will address capital improvements, eligible financing and funding sources to improve the sustainability and resiliency  of the Port with benefits and environmental mitigation of port operations for its neighboring community. A five-year capital improvement plan will initiate the implementation stages for a 30-year vision of Port growth, sustainability, resiliency and commercial success.