BAYONNE AND BEYOND — Several sources in Bayonne municipal government confirmed this week that discussions are underway to turn a large portion of the former Military Ocean Terminal base into a container port. The base is also being developed residentially.
The new facility would accommodate the next generation of container ships that are too large to fit under the Bayonne Bridge, and the development in Bayonne would be expected to generate numerous jobs.
Members of the waterfront unions said Mayor Mark Smith has already spoken with them about the concept, but did not go into details.
The deal is expected to be announced at any moment would also likely have a huge benefit for the current Bayonne municipal budget as well as future budgets. Terrance Malloy, chief financial officer for Bayonne, said funds generated from such a deal would be used primarily to retire the city’s debt, and this would lower significantly lower city spending in future budgets.