9 Summer 2025 Proceedings Even Larger Ship Traffic The increase in vessel size has compounded the com- plexities of managing harbor operations. The scale of these ships necessitates meticulous planning and coor- dination to prevent accidents and ensure safe navigation. As the potential hazards related to navigating SULCVs in a 50-foot-deep channel continues, a study has been completed and a design agreement executed between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Under this agreement, the harbor’s navigation channels will be further deepened to 55 feet,8 which will lead to even larger ships routinely transiting the harbor. Renewable Energy Projects The growing interest in offshore wind energy and other renewable energy solutions, such as the Champlain- Hudson Power Express cable, which will provide hydro- electric power from Canada to New York City, introduces additional vessel traffic related to project construction and maintenance. This influx of maritime activity adds a new layer of complexity to waterways management throughout the captain of the port zone and causes potential concerns regarding safe anchorages for vessels in emergency situations. Autonomous Systems The advent of autonomous systems, including aerial, surface, and subsurface vessels, introduces both oppor- tunities and risks to the MTS. These technologies can increase efficiency, but they also introduce new and dif- ferent variables that must be managed carefully. These risks could include an uncrewed vessel attempting to operate under the existing regulatory regime, an event sponsor that seeks to replace or supplement fireworks shows with uncrewed drone shows above the navigable waters of New York Harbor, or other novel uses. These technologies are also susceptible to use by nefarious actors. Alternative Fuels The shift towards alternative fuels for vessels aims to meet International Maritime Organization standards for air pollution and particulate matter. However, these new standards also challenge existing bunkering infra- structure, capabilities, and procedures. Additionally, the highly flammable, toxic, or cryogenic properties of some alternative fuels add new layers of complexity to the planning and response to emergency situations within the port. Increased Use of Batteries Lithium-ion batteries are being used more and more throughout society, including within the MTS. Not only are vessels using batteries as power sources for pro- pulsion or in other ways onboard, large and small bat- teries—both new and old—are transported via water, which can present new hazards. Ferry passengers are transporting their battery-powered bicycles onboard, ships are exporting end-of-life batteries to recycling facilities overseas, and municipal waste streams that may inadvertently include batteries are moved via con- tainer throughout the harbor. With the New York City Fire Department responding to 268 battery-related fires in 2023,9 it is only a matter of time until such an incident occurs on a vessel. Increased Recreational Traffic A cleaner harbor, while beneficial to the city and its residents, has led to a surge in recreational and human- powered watercraft. This increase in recreational traffic, which has an equal right to use the waterways as com- mercial vessels, further congests the MTS and requires enhanced management strategies to prevent accidents and ensure the safe coexistence of all users. Cybersecurity Threats Perhaps the most insidious risk is the ever-present threat of cybersecurity incidents. This includes not only cyberattacks, but also a plethora of other cyber-related risks that can be as simple as a technician inadvertently loading the wrong software update into a critical sys- tem that causes a malfunction when the vessel is under- way. Unlike physical threats, cybersecurity risks are not always visible but can have profound consequences and very tangible impacts on maritime operations and infra- structure. Managing Risk Internally, the Coast Guard has adopted a risk manage- ment framework that includes a five-step process—iden- tifying hazards, assessing hazards, developing controls and making decisions, implementing controls, and supervising and evaluating controls. While captains of the port do not always consciously follow this five-step process in managing risks to the port, it is a process that is nonetheless routinely used both locally and holisti- cally across the nation in a layered approach. This layered approach to identify and manage evolv- ing and emerging risks helps ensure the safety, security, and environmental protection of the MTS, and begins years before a risk emerges within a port. The Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations’ Office of Emerging Policy uses strategic foresight to look over the horizon. It conducts workshops with Coast Guard mem- bers, industry leaders, other government agencies, aca- demics, and other stakeholders to identify potential risks or opportunities and advise Coast Guard leadership
