Port of Boston | |
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Long Wharf in downtown Boston, once the main commercial wharf within the port, but now used by ferries and cruise boats.
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Location | |
Country | United States |
Location | Boston, Suffolk County, MA |
Coordinates | 42°21′48.96″N 71°2′11.77″W / 42.3636000°N 71.0366028°WCoordinates: 42°21′48.96″N 71°2′11.77″W / 42.3636000°N 71.0366028°W |
Details | |
Operated by |
Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) |
Owned by | Government of Massachusetts |
Type of harbor | Natural/Artificial |
Size of harbor | 500 acres (200 ha) |
Available berths | |
Wharfs | |
Piers | |
Employees | |
Port Director | Michael Leone |
Draft depth | 40 feet |
Air draft | Unrestricted |
Website http://www.massport.com/ |
The Port of Boston, (AMS Seaport Code: 0401,UN/LOCODE: US BOS), is a major seaport located in Boston Harbor and adjacent to the City of Boston. It is the largest port in Massachusetts as well as being one of the principal ports on the east coast of the United States.
The Port of Boston was historically important for the growth of the City of Boston, and was originally located in what is now the downtown area of the city, called Long Wharf. Land reclamation and conversion to other uses means that the downtown area no longer handles commercial traffic, although there is still considerable ferry and leisure usage at Long Wharf. Today the principal cargo handling facilities are located in the Boston neighborhoods of Charlestown, East Boston, and South Boston, and in the neighboring city of Everett. The Port of Boston has also been an entry point for many immigrants.
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) was created in 1956 by a special act of the Massachusetts General Court. The Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation and Public Works serves as an ex-officio member of the board and the remaining six members are appointed by the governor to staggered seven year terms. Its Board members must be residents of Massachusetts. The Department of Homeland Security also has a presence with United States Customs Service and United States Border Patrol agents. The port has three areas of activity: cargo, cruises and ferry service.