Specifically, how does the improved channel enable the more efficient movement of exports and imports?
The deeper channel will allow some current vessels to carry more cargo as well as allow a fleet shift to larger vessels, thus more efficiently apportioning operating costs over a greater amount of tonnage. Other vessels, such as large crude oil vessels that currently lighter at Big Stone Anchorage in the naturally deep water of the Delaware Bay, will continue to carry equivalent tonnage but will be able to operate more efficiently with a deepened channel and incur reduced lightering charges. A deeper channel will also result in a reduction of transit times because of less tidal delays. Safety practices require vessels to maintain a three-foot minimum under keel clearance; limiting maximum unrestricted sailing drafts to 37 feet in the 40-foot channel. Many liquid bulk and some dry bulk vessels currently use tidal advantage to arrive at port with sailing drafts up to 40 feet. These vessels travel more slowly and must “drift the tide to maintain safe under keel clearance. Deepening the ch
