Port of Boston reports record cargo volume

Port of Boston reports record cargo volume The Massachusetts Port Authority said the Port of Boston set records last year for container cargo shipments in 2007.
   At Conley Container Terminal combined imports and exports grew more than 10 percent over 2006. Scheduled cruise passenger traffic grew by 12 percent.
   In 2006, total container volume at Massport’s Conley Terminal in South Boston was 220,341 TEUs and total tonnage was 1.7 million short tons.
   The port said containers volume was fueled by a rise in cargo activity with Asia and completion of a two-year $28 million upgrade to the Conley Terminal, which has expanded capacity 50 percent even though the 100-acre footprint of the terminal was not changed. The port said improved efficiency allows trucks coming in and out to deliver and receive containers faster. In 2007 “turn-time” at the gate averaged 39 minutes as compared to 56 minutes in 2005.