Senators Reed and Whitehouse Join Gov. Chafee to Welcome Honda to the Port of Davisville

Quonset, RI – Senator Jack Reed and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joined with Gov. Lincoln Chafee and leaders from North Atlantic Distribution, Inc (NORAD) and the Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) to celebrate the first shipment of Honda automobiles to arrive at the Port of Davisville.  Honda’s arrival is another sign of growth in the Port’s emergence as one of the largest auto-importers in North America. The autos will be finished and processed by North Atlantic Distribution, Inc.

“I wanted to be here today because the arrival of these cars is yet another signal that Quonset is one of the premier port operations along the East Coast.  I’ve been working for decades to develop and expand our port infrastructure and I’m pleased those federal investments are helping to generate new business and jobs for the state and local communities,” Reed said upon the arrival.

“The Port of Davisville is a key hub of transportation and commerce: we’ve got cars rolling off boats and trains to be shipped to dealerships all over.  The groundwork we laid in the 1990s was key to this effort and we need to continue striving and planning for future growth and increased capacity,” added Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, who has directed more than $100 million in federal funding to upgrade Quonset’s infrastructure, including freight rail, piers, roadways, and bridges.

“I’m glad to welcome Honda to Rhode Island and see how improvements to the Port of Davisville are paying off,” said Whitehouse. “The Port’s continued success serves as an example of how infrastructure expands trade, creates badly needed jobs, and grows the Ocean State economy.”

“I want to welcome Honda to one of the best automobile ports on the East Coast where we continue to grow and create more jobs,” Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said. “I look forward to working with the latest member of our car import family for years to come.”

Quonset Business Park is already one of the premiere business parks in New England and one of the largest in the Northeast.  It is a main driver of economic growth and job creation in Rhode Island.  Quonset is home to more than 175 companies, employing more than 9,500 people in every sector of the economy. The Port of Davisville is one of the top-ten auto importers in North America.  173,000 autos arrived by sea in 2013, the fourth consecutive record-breaking year.

Michael Miranda, President and CEO of NORAD, said Honda’s presence at the Port of Davisville would be significant.  “By year’s end, approximately 18,000 Hondas will have arrived here and we expect more growth in the years following,” Miranda said.

“Honda’s arrival is a testament to the cooperation our company has enjoyed from the state, federal delegation, and QDC over the years in helping to improve the Port of Davisville,” Miranda added.

Senator Reed and Senator Whitehouse were joined on board the M.V. Cosmos Ace, by Miranda and Evan Matthews, Director of the Port of Davisville.   The group presented a special plaque to Captain Gorgonio I. Tayo commemorating the first Hondas to be delivered.   The first shipment included Honda Fits.  The carrier is Mitsui O.S.K Lines, and New England Stevedore Services provided the necessary support.

“The State of Rhode Island, our federal delegation, NORAD, and the QDC have invested heavily in the necessary infrastructure improvements that were needed at the Port of Davisville and the result is that today we have one of the most successful auto ports in all of North America, “ said Matthews. “Honda’s arrival is another great sign of growth here, and we look forward to having more manufacturers and shippers join in our success in the years ahead.”

The new vehicles from Honda originate from the company’s new facility in Celaya, Mexico.

About Quonset Development Corporation: The Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) is responsible for the development and management of the 3,207 acre Quonset Business Park®.  One of the leading drivers of economic growth and job creation in the region, Quonset Business Park is home to more than 175 companies, 9,500 full and part-time jobs, while the Port of Davisville is one of the top ten auto-importers in North America.

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