Seastreak ferry business thrives at New Bedford's pier. It's making its case to the state

NEW BEDFORD — Seastreak began offering high-speed ferry service from New Bedford State Pier in 2005.

It did not make money for the first few years.

"It was tough going," said Jim Barker, Seastreak president and founder.

But the ferry services from New Bedford State Pier grew to such an extent that, by 2023, 175,000 people a year were coming in and out of Seastreak's New Bedford State Pier terminal.

A change in New Bedford

"Things have really changed in New Bedford," Barker said.

The company, which has headquarters in New Jersey and operates in New York and New Jersey as well as New England, operates 10 high-speed ferries today.

That includes its newest vessel, the Courageous.

It's the largest high-speed passenger vessel in the United States, Barker said. It has a 600-person capacity and can travel at 35 knots.

These "bow loaders" are specially designed to fit into docks at New Bedford State Pier and at the Steamship Authority's facilities on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.

Seastreak has a license that allows use of the authority's facilities.

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Expanding to year-round service to Martha's Vineyard

Barker said they've expanded this year to offer year-round service from New Bedford State Pier to Martha's Vineyard.

They're not making money with that service right now, but they're already close to breaking even and hope to surpass that threshold next winter.

Seastreak is tapping into the need on Martha's Vineyard for skilled labor, which can be provided by the New Bedford market, he said.

Barker added that the 175,000 people traveling by Seastreak through New Bedford State Pier "obviously come to town and spend their money at local stores, restaurants, and shops."

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Proposal can be summed up succinctly

Barker made that point during a May meeting hosted by MassDevelopment in which seven current proposals for New Bedford State Pier's redevelopment were aired.

The Seastreak proposal can be summed up succinctly.

Barker said, "We're basically proposing to do what we have always done."

The company needs its parking area but doesn't need any additional terminal space.

The current lots provide valet parking and drop-off and pickup of luggage and passengers. They're also used to stage cars for people returning from their trip to the Islands.

Barker said the company wants to develop a café with a full-service kitchen and a retail shop in the current terminal building. That would require a five-year lease to justify the expense.

The café and retail space would work well with servicing their growing customer base, Barker said.

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Service from Providence to the Islands via New Bedford

Seastreak is currently offering linkage to regional transportation networks, he said.

Seastreak can connect Amtrak passengers through Providence to the ferry. "You can book your Amtrak ticket straight to Nantucket or straight to Martha's Vineyard through New Bedford — seamless."

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A MassDevelopment review committee is considering the seven proposals, including Seastreak's, and will make recommendations. A decision deadline has not been set.

The committee could recommend accepting the proposals in total or partially, or reject them all. Leases for successful proposals could run up to 35 years.

MassDevelopment is the state’s development finance agency and land bank, and manages the 8-acre, state-owned property.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Seastreak ferry business thrives at New Bedford's pier. It's making its case to the state