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Governor Lincoln D. Chafee Announces
Record Breaking Year for Auto-Imports
at Quonset's Port of Davisville
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14.6% Increase Over 2011;
Third Straight Record Breaking Year
Governor Lincoln D. Chafee joined with state officials and local business leaders today to announce that the Port of Davisville at Quonset Business Park had a record breaking year for automobiles imported by ship. In 2012, more than 172,000 automobiles were imported at the Port, with another 41,000 autos coming by rail and 2,300 coming by truck. Vehicles arriving at the Port of Davisville are processed, finished and distributed across the country by North Atlantic Distribution, Inc. (NORAD), a long-time Quonset tenant.
Today's figures reflected a 14 percent increase over 2011's record-breaking numbers. That year, the Port of Davisville was ranked as the 7th largest auto-importer in North America. The Port is a key component of the Quonset Business Park, which is already considered one of the premiere business parks in New England and one of the largest in the Northeast. Quonset is now home to more than 175 companies, employing approximately 9,100 people in full-time and part-time jobs across several industries.
"I am pleased to be here today to announce another success story at Quonset," Governor Chafee said. "It's not only an important achievement for our state, but one made possible
by NORAD - a long-standing Rhode Island company that employs more than 300 people at the Park."
"NORAD and the QDC are working in tandem to help spur greater job growth and economic development. Today's news is an excellent example of the public and private sectors working together and succeeding," Chafee concluded.
The on-going support of U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, along with U.S. Rep James Langevin, has been to the recent success at the Port, added Steven J. King, PE, Managing Director of the QDC.
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Dredging Project Completed
On Time at No Cost to Taxpayers
 Governor Lincoln D. Chafee also announced today that the maintenance dredging project that began in late October at the Port of Davisville is now complete. The project was finalized earlier this week, ahead of the January 31st deadline. The dredging re-established a depth of minus 32' below mean low water in and around the berthing facilities at the Port, and allows Davisville to accommodate the design draft of the car carriers that call on the Port. Requiring no taxpayer funding, it was the first dredging effort of the Davisville channel since its original construction in the 1940s.
"The Port of Davisville is building a strong reputation as one of the best ports in the Northeast to do business," said Evan Matthews, the QDC's director of the Port of Davisville. "This project will ensure that our current partners and future customers know we are committed to providing them with a world class infrastructure when they come here to deliver their cargo."
Matthews noted the pivotal role of the Legislative Port Commission, chaired by state Sen. William Walaska (D-Warwick) and state Rep. Deb Ruggiero (D-Jamestown, Middletown), in the successful completion of the project.
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