Quonset port reaches fifth consecutive record-breaking year for auto imports by ship

A NEW Subaru XV Crosstrek vehicle is seen being driven off the ship in a delivery from Japan at the Port of Davisville at Quonset Business Park. The port had its fifth consecutive record-breaking year for automobiles imported by ship in 2014, according to Gov. Gina M. Raimondo.

 / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
A NEW Subaru XV Crosstrek vehicle is seen being driven off the ship in a delivery from Japan at the Port of Davisville at Quonset Business Park. The port had its fifth consecutive record-breaking year for automobiles imported by ship in 2014, according to Gov. Gina M. Raimondo. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

NORTH KINGSTOWN – The Port of Davisville at Quonset Business Park had its fifth consecutive record-breaking year for automobiles imported by ship in 2014, according to Gov. Gina M. Raimondo.

Last year, 178,215 automobiles were imported by ship, a 2.8 percent increase over 2013, with another 34,293 automobiles arriving by rail and 3,498 coming by truck.

Vehicles arriving at the port are processed, finished and distributed across the country by North Atlantic Distribution Inc., a long-time Quonset tenant.

“This milestone is a tremendous example of the private sector working together with the state to make us a leader on the global stage,” Raimondo said in a statement.

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“The priorities of my administration are to attract more entrepreneurs and to support our existing business, all while fostering innovation in government. The port of Davisville has become one of North America’s leading auto importers because we’ve modernized its infrastructure and marketed our strengths and because NORAD has grown to more than 300 people since it began operations here more than 25 years ago,” she continued.

The 2014 figures represent approximately 5,000 more automobiles over 2013’s figures.

The port has been one of the top 10 auto-importers in North America for the past several years, according to information from Raimondo’s office.

The amount of cars imported is now more than five times the volume seen at the port just 15 years ago, a news release said.

“We are thrilled to have reached another great milestone alongside NORAD and we believe there is much more growth still to come for Quonset and the companies at the Business Park,” Steven J. King, managing director of the QDC, said in the release. “We are dedicated to helping move Rhode Island forward and building on the momentum that we are seeing today.”

Quonset Business park is home to nearly 200 companies, and more than 10,000 full- and part-time jobs.

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