New Haven Port Authority’s Strategic Master Plan – October 2025

New Haven Strategic Port Master Plan

The New Haven Port Authority engaged a team led by AECOM Technical Services, Inc., consisting of AECOM, Martin Associates and FHI Studios to prepare this Strategic Master Plan for the Port of New Haven, Connecticut. As an essential hub for the movement of more than eight million tons of liquid and bulk goods in the region, the Port of New Haven is both a critical component of the Connecticut economy and a key node in the movement of goods throughout New England. The primary goal of this plan is to outline a vision for the Port’s future business and growth while better defining NHPA’s role and measuring the economic impact of the Port on the region.

The NHPA was created by an ordinance of the City of New Haven (the “City”) in 2003. The mission of the NHPA is to create jobs and a stronger, more resilient economy in New Haven by supporting maritime commerce, investing in port facilities and the Port District, and coordinating development with the City and the State of Connecticut (the “State”). With this Master Plan, the NHPA sets forth the following goals:

1. Create a more consolidated and productive Port District: Coordinate land use in partnership with the City and Port neighbors to consolidate and expand use within the Port District for maritime shipping related activities.


2. Invest in Improved Port Connectivity: Invest in opportunities to build new transportation infrastructure to strengthen the regional supply chain and decrease fossil fuel emissions.


3. Redevelop the Port to support the current and future regional economy: Identify and support development of new market opportunities as they emerge, so the Port continues to play a crucial role in job creation, economic activity, and supply chain resilience.


4. Strengthen the Role of the Port Authority: Clearly establish the role the Port Authority plays in supporting the City and Port operators in support of their goals. In particular, the primary function of the Port Authority should be to continue to leverage private investments by seeking federal and state funding on behalf of Port operators.

New Haven Port Authority Traffic Study

2019 Report

The New Haven Port Authority (NHPA) proposes to conduct a traffic study of the Port District within the City of New Haven to understand traffic impacts associated with the vehicular movements serving the various port facilities. 

New Haven Port Authority Annual Report

2019 Annual Report

Strategic Land Use Plan

The City of New Haven, in  cooperation with the New Haven Port Authority, engaged PB Americas, Inc. (formerly known as Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc.) to prepare this Strategic Land Use Plan for the Port of New Haven, Connecticut. This report is among the first assignments of the Port Authority, which was established in 2003 to enhance the economic competitiveness of the port community.

Land use is seen as a central pathway to economic development and this report sets forth an analysis of the existing and contemplated operations for the Port of New Haven with particular emphasis on the associated land use issues which need to be incorporated in the planning and management of the Port’s growth. Successful treatment of these issues will require a close and sustained working relationship between the Port

Authority and the port terminals, as represented in the New Haven Petroleum Cooperative, and the City of New Haven.

Five Key Actions are identified from among 30 recommendations set forth in this Plan, as follows:

• Expand the Land Available for Port-Related Activities
• Develop a Marketing Program for the Port
• Improve the Transportation Network within the Port
• Formulate a Plan for Dredging of the Harbor Channel
• Program Growth and Future Operations in Environmentally Positive Ways

These Key Actions were developed so as to relate directly to the objectives previously set forth in the Port Authority’s 2006 Work Plan. The specifics of these relationships are discussed at the beginning of the section of this Plan entitled “Strategies for Future Development”. Many of the recommendations are intertwined, particularly as concerns improvements to the facilities which can contribute positively to both the day-to-day operations as well as to the long-term marketability of the Port’s services.

Strategic Land Use Plan

New Haven Harbor Navigation Improvement Study

The US Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, has been conducting a feasibility study and Environmental Impact Statement to examine navigation improvements to the existing New Haven Harbor Federal Navigation project. The USACE has been involved since July 31, of 2007 and is continuing to help expand the Port of New Haven. The expansion project will deepen the harbor channel, bringing the mean lower low water (MLLW) depth to 42 feet from 35 feet. Along with an increase in the depth, the width of the channel entrance will be widened from 500 feet to 550 feet as well a widening and deepening of the turnaround area, creating easier access to the port terminals. The dangerous bend in the channel will also be widened in order for safer transits into port. Once this process is complete, New Haven will become a more desirable port of call. Vessels will no longer have to lighter or wait for the right tide outside of the harbor in order to reach their destination.

More information on the deepening project

• US Army Corps of Engineers, New Haven Port Authority to hold public meeting Jan. 10 on New Haven Harbor Navigation Improvement Study
• October 23rd and 24th Public Hearing Presentation
• Project Map
• Fact Sheet
• Yankee Engineer: US Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Vol 51 - A look into the deepening study of the Port of New Haven
• New Haven Harbor EIS