Port of New Bedford

The New Bedford Harbor Development Commission (HDC) was created by the Massachusetts General Court to govern the Port of New Bedford under Chapter 762 of the Acts of 1957. The HDC has hoises the New Bedford Harbormaster and is responsible for managing commercial and recreational vessel activities over all the waters within New Bedford. The crucial day-to-day operations and decision making is the responsibility of the HDC staff headed by an Executive Director.

The HDC manages all City-owned waterfront property, including Homer’s, Leonard’s, Steamship, Coal Pocket, and Fisherman’s Wharves, as well as a 198-slip recreational marina at Pope’s Island and 19 real estate assets. The HDC also assigns moorings and enforces rules regarding use of piers, wharves, and adjacent parking areas under its jurisdiction, and issues permits for harbor events and for use of city-owned waterfront facilities.