Bayonne, NJ, February 9, 2007 – After just three years of operation, Cape Liberty Cruise Port on The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor has become one of the busiest cruise ports in the country. The port is ranked second among Northeast and mid-Atlantic coast ports in passenger volume. It hosted 71 cruise ship calls and served more than 321,000 homeport passengers during the 2006 season which ran from May to December.

In 2006, Cape Liberty Cruise Port enjoyed many momentous events. Early in the year, the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority (BLRA) entered into a 35-year, $140 million agreement allowing Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Ltd. (RCL) to berth cruise ships at Cape Liberty Cruise Port on The Peninsula.

Throughout 2006, Cape Liberty Cruise Port was host to several of the world’s largest and most majestic cruise liners. In addition to Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises' Constellation and Journey, it hosted the inaugural run of Freedom of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship. On another occasion, the Port welcomed the luxurious Queen Mary 2, the second largest cruise ship, and currently is the temporary home to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, which will soon be moved to a dry dock facility on The Peninsula. Several U.S. Navy ships also landed at Bayonne Dry Dock for repairs including the Mendonca, Pililaau and Gordon.

Cape Liberty Cruise Port also enjoyed recognition in 2006 as one of the top three rated ports, worldwide, for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. Port Director Anthony Caputo explained that “the success is due to a lot of advanced planning and a meticulous crew dedicated to making sure that each passenger passing through the Port has a positive experience.”

Bayonne Mayor Joseph V. Doria, Jr. noted that he was “pleased but not surprised by the Port’s success. We have a prime location in the New York Harbor, some of the best planners around, and a supportive, welcoming community,” Doria explained.

The Cape Liberty Cruise Port is an integral part of the multi-billion dollar redevelopment plan for The Peninsula on Bayonne Harbor. BLRA Executive Director Nancy Kist said that the “the Port is an excellent example of what can be accomplished with careful planning and strong collaboration.” She added that “the citizens of Bayonne can expect to see more development they can be proud of on The Peninsula in the new year.”

About The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor
Since the U.S. Army transferred complete ownership of the former military base in 2002, the BLRA has raised more than $50 million in government grants and interim lease payments to make infrastructure improvements needed to attract development. These improvements include new bulkheads along the south side and environmental remediation that was completed in 2005, ahead of schedule. Other projects include the installation of a new sewer system, a new electrical grid and new roads.

Redevelopment of The Peninsula is organized around the creation of six different, yet integrated districts. In 2004, Cape Liberty Cruise Port opened, marking the first tangible step in the transformation of the 430-acre site. It resulted in 51 cruise ship calls in its first season and created 300 jobs.

In 2006 the BLRA approved plans for development of another district, Harbor Station North, which will consist of mid-rise housing, retail space, and park space adjacent to the 45th Street light rail station. The approval of redeveloper agreements for portions of Bayonne Bay begins the transformation of the third district into a vibrant mixed-use waterfront community. Conditional agreements with other developers for portions of the Landing and Loft Districts signify progress in other districts as well. The Landing will have a water transit docking facility surrounded by a commercial and entertainment area and mid-rise housing, while the Loft District will be converted to hip loft-style housing units adjacent to the ferry landing with spectacular views of New York.

For more information about The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor or The Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority, visit www.bayonnenj.org/blra.


 

Back To Press Releases