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Massachusetts Port Authority

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Massachusetts Port Authority
Company typePublic authority
IndustryTransportation
Founded1956
Headquarters
East Boston
,
United States
Area served
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Key people
Richard A. Davey (CEO)
ProductsAirport and seaport operations, transportation services
Websitewww.massport.com

Massachusetts Port Authority (commonly known as Massport) serves as the port authority for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It manages and owns three airports: Logan International Airport, Hanscom Field, and Worcester Regional Airport, in addition to overseeing public terminals within the Port of Boston.

Operating as a financially independent public entity, Massport generates annual revenues exceeding $600 million from its transportation assets and does not rely on state tax dollars for either operational costs or capital projects. The organization's main offices are situated in the Logan Office Center, adjacent to Logan Airport in East Boston, Massachusetts.

20th century

Established by the Massachusetts General Court in 1956 to succeed the locally governed port commission, Massport's functionality was delayed until 1959 due to bond financing issues. It functions autonomously from state government agencies.

In 1966, Massport developed the Castle Island Container Terminal specifically for Sea-Land Corporation, marking one of the first intermodal container facilities. A second container terminal was constructed in Charlestown in 1971 to accommodate additional shipping lines. When Sea-Land's exclusive lease concluded in 1980, the initial terminal was expanded and opened to multiple shipping companies.

21st century

The Tobin Bridge was transferred from Massport to the newly formed Massachusetts Department of Transportation on January 1, 2010.

In June 2019, Massport’s board appointed Lisa Wieland as chief executive officer with an annual salary set at $360,000, effective September 2019.

List of executive directors

On May 29, 2024, Massport’s board extended an offer to Richard A. Davey for the CEO role, with a commencement date scheduled no later than September 9, 2024.

Airports

Seaports and maritime facilities

The Port of Boston includes Cruiseport Boston, the Boston Marine Industrial Park located in South Boston, along with facilities in both East Boston and Charlestown:

  • Flynn Cruiseport Boston (previously Black Falcon Cruise Terminal), South Boston
  • Paul W. Conley Terminal, South Boston – Container shipping port
  • Boston Autoport, Charlestown – Vehicle shipping terminal operated by a private lessee
  • Boston Fish Pier, South Boston – Seafood processing center acquired in 1972
  • Mystic Piers 48–50, Charlestown – Bulk salt storage and shipment facility since the 1980s
  • Medford Street Terminal, Charlestown – Dockside facility with office and warehouse space; acquired in 1986
  • East Boston Shipyard and Marina – Former naval and Bethlehem Steel property now serving ship repair functions
  • Massport Marine Terminal (MMT)/North Jetty, South Boston – Previously used for Big Dig staging; currently under seafood processing development
  • Fargo Street Terminal, South Boston – Storage and operational support facility
  • International Cargo Terminal, South Boston – Office space and warehouse facilities

Massport Shuttle

The Massport Shuttle provides connections among all terminals at Boston Logan International Airport, the Airport Station on the MBTA Blue Line, the water transportation dock located on Harborside Drive, and the Rental Car Center. The shuttle operates several routes:

  • Route 11 serves Terminals A, B, C, and E
  • Route 22 links Terminals A and B with the subway station and rental car center during peak hours
  • Route 33 connects Terminals C and E with the subway station and rental car center during peak hours
  • Route 55 covers all terminals, the subway station, and rental car center during off-peak times in early morning and late evening
  • Route 66 runs between all terminals, the subway station, and the water transportation dock
  • Route 88 operates inbound service to all terminals, economy parking garage, and subway station

Logan Express

Massport manages the Logan Express bus routes that connect each terminal to park-and-ride facilities in Braintree (near South Shore Plaza), Framingham (Shopper's World), Woburn (Anderson Regional Transportation Center), and Peabody. Since 2014, an additional route serves the Back Bay area, including stops at Hynes Convention Center and Copley Square. This Back Bay route remained active following the 2016 reopening of Government Center and has provided priority TSA security screening for passengers since 2019.

Silver Line

Massport funds the MBTA's Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit service, which links downtown Boston directly to Logan Airport terminals. The authority also contributes to the upkeep of Airport Station and supports ventilation systems within the Ted Williams Tunnel.

Massachusetts State Police - Troop F

Troop F of the Massachusetts State Police serves as the primary law enforcement agency for Massachusetts Port Authority properties, including Logan International Airport, Boston's Seaport District, the Port of Boston, as well as the Seaport Hotel and Seaport World Trade Center. This troop encompasses specialized divisions such as detectives, bomb disposal units, community outreach teams, a marine unit, and federally accredited K-9 squads. Officers ensure adherence to FAA and TSA airport security mandates.

Since relocating in 2010 to a larger facility outside airport grounds, Troop F has benefited from enhanced space, parking availability, and improved property access. The Troop F Commander also holds the position of Massport's Director of Aviation Security.

Massport Police

Massport operates its own police department that works closely alongside State Police Troop F. The Massport police force is responsible for security at marine terminals, East Boston parks, the Seaport District, and other properties under Massport jurisdiction. Their duties include safeguarding the Port of Boston's Flynn Cruise Port and Paul W. Conley Cargo Container Terminal in compliance with the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002.

The Chief of Massport Police concurrently acts as Director of Maritime Security. According to state legislation (Section 110 of Chapter 205, Acts of 1996), municipal police departments such as the Boston Police Department do not hold jurisdiction over Massport-owned properties.

Massport Fire Rescue

Massport Fire Rescue delivers comprehensive services including aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF), structural fire protection, hazardous materials response, emergency medical care, and offshore emergency operations through its Marine division equipped with the 79-foot American United fireboat. The department also oversees fire prevention programs and conducts inspections. Its main headquarters, an auxiliary station, and a boat dock shared with Massachusetts State Police Troop F / Marine Unit are situated at Boston Logan International Airport. Additional ARFF facilities operate at Laurence G. Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. As a member of the Massachusetts Metro Fire District, Massport Fire Rescue provides mutual aid support to neighboring communities.

See also

Further reading

External links

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