THE IMPACT OF COAL CONVERSIONS ON THE PORTS OF NEW ENGLAND

Historically, waterborne movements of coal into the New England region were very important. This paper presents the results of a systematic study of the transportation of coal into the region to satisfy the anticipated energy demands of the electric utilities. The results of this analysis indicate that waterborne movements of coal can once again predominate. Even with the added investments necessary for the construction of new coal handling equipment at the ports of New England and the costs associated with additional coal transfers, water modes tend to be the most economical. The ports of Providence and Boston appear to have some geographical strategic importance to this coal trade.