Urban waterborne logistics: the River Port Cities Working Group explores New York’s Blue Highways

On 14 October 2026, AIVP’s River Port Cities Working Group met online to explore how waterways can support urban freight transport. Chris Canary, Vice President in the Ports, Waterfront and Transportation Department at the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), presented the Blue Highways programme. The session provided an opportunity to discuss New York’s approach and compare experiences with other port cities. The Blue Highways programme aims to shift more freight from roads to waterways, easing pressure on congested streets and strengthening supply chain resilience. Its Action Plan builds on decades of efforts to move waste by barge, reduce truck trips, and streamline freight transport, offering an alternative to the limited road crossings over the Hudson River and connecting goods arriving west of the river with more than 11 million consumers to the east. Through this approach, it seeks to support maritime activity and economic development while answering…