First Batch of Hondas Arrives at Port of Davisville

The first shipment of Honda automobiles arrived at the Port of Davisville in Quonset Business Park this week, heralding yet more positive news out of the growing economic hotspot in North Kingstown.

Federal, state and local leaders were on hand along with officials from North Atlantic Distribution and the Quonset Development Corporation to celebrate the arrival of the shipment.

Michael Miranda, president and CEO of NORAD, said about 18,000 Hondas will have arrived in the port by year end.

“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. 

The shipment of Honda Fits — the automaker's popular compact car — came via the M.V. Cosmos Ace and were manufactured in Honda's new plant in Celaya, Mexico.

Capt. Gorgonio I. Tayo was given a plaque commemorating the first shipment. The carrier is Mitsui O.S.K Lines.

“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,” said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed upon the arrival at the port for the ceremony.

“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.

Quonset Business Park is now home to 175 companies and 9,500 employees. The Port of Davisville has now become one of the top auto importing hubs in the country. 173,000 vehicles arrived by sea in 2013 — the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking import numbers for the port.

“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.”