Page 43: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Sep/Oct 2018)

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The graphic is a depiction of “small harbor improvement projects” statewide funded through the use of state bond funds managed by the port authority.

and perishables, for ports to reclaim a once-important service lost of Long Island Sound. to competitive logistics. Referencing I-95 congestion, Port offcials Kunkel explained that there are a number of logistical factors believe that CT’s location, via its waterways, can provide an “alter- favoring his new venture. First, it’s diffcult for small, local farms native entry point for perishable and food products headed to the to reach customers farther than 15-20 miles away, despite market

New England market.” Port offcials cite preferences and demands demand, which is increasing in his region, Kunkel said. These for local, organic and fresh foodstuffs, from apples to fsh and local shipments are almost always below full truckload scale. meat, products for which brief – and predictable – transit is critical. “There’s a big difference between local shipping and global ship-

One company ready to move into this new/old space is Harbor ping,” Kunkel pointed out. Additionally, he said that local off-

Harvest, based in Norwalk, CT. HH is a full-service food com- cials don’t like 18-wheelers making deliveries in small city cen- pany: it has a restaurant, a catering service, a brick-and-mortar ters. The delays and unpredictability on major roadways are, for grocery, it grows and sells herbs and is ready to start up – likely food, counter to notions of “fresh,” at the heart of higher value.

in March – one very unique additional service: maritime transport Kunkel said many CT farms are near rivers and harbors. And, among farms and farmers in CT and Long Island. that’s important because his catamaran draws just 3 feet. As cargo, most farm goods are shipped on pallets and moved by forklift or a jack-lift. His boat will have RO/RO capability with

Harbor Harvest Underway

Bob Kunkel is one of HH’s principals and owners. His frm has refrigerated storage. Capacity is about 28 pallets. His plan: a contracted with Derecktor Shipyards to build a 65-foot all-alu- grower meets him at the dock, say, in Norwalk, and Kunkel minum catamaran vessel that will be used to pick up and deliver ships it east to Bridgeport, or south, across the Sound to Hun- produce, meats and dairy products from local farms on both sides tington, Long Island. The buyer either picks up the pallets at www.maritimelogisticsprofessional.com 43

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