27 inches of snow closes Maersk, other New York-New Jersey terminals

Vessel operations suspended at Port Newark-Elizabeth

The gate at Port Newark Container Terminal Tuesday, Feb. 24. (Photo: Gate cam screenshot)

Vessel operations remain suspended at container terminals at the Port of New York-New Jersey following a storm that dropped more than two feet of snow on the busiest East Coast gateway.

“Following one of the most severe winter storms the [port] has experienced in decades, APM Terminals Elizabeth will remain closed on Wednesday,” the Maersk (MAERSK-B.CO) terminal said in a service alert.

Clean-up efforts were going on around the clock after snowfall totaling 27 inches and sustained freezing temperatures brought most transportation to a halt in the Northeast.

“At this time, conditions remain unsafe and not conducive to productive operations. Our priority is ensuring the safety of all personnel while allowing sufficient time to clear the terminal, restore access, and stabilize operations,” APM said.

The Port Authority of New York-New Jersey in a post on X said Port Newark Container Terminal, Maher, Ports America, Port Liberty, CES and Red Hook Barge Terminal also remain closed after the storm.

Port gates will remain closed through Wednesday. APM said it may open a weekend gate, and that import free time will be extended when the terminal can safely open. 

Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

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Stuart Chirls

Stuart Chirls is a journalist who has covered the full breadth of railroads, intermodal, container shipping, ports, supply chain and logistics for Railway Age, the Journal of Commerce and IANA. He has also staffed at S&P, McGraw-Hill, United Business Media, Advance Media, Tribune Co., The New York Times Co., and worked in supply chain with BASF, the world's largest chemical producer. Reach him at stuartchirls@firecrown.com.