Massachusetts

Massachusetts hosts some of the nation’s largest corporations and most innovative industries, from life sciences to defense and logistics.

Key Employers and Corporations:

General Electric (GE) – Boston headquarters; industrial, renewable, and aviation sectors.

Raytheon Technologies – Waltham; aerospace and defense manufacturing.

Mass General Brigham – Boston; healthcare and biotech.

Thermo Fisher Scientific – Waltham; global leader in laboratory and scientific equipment.

Biogen – Cambridge; biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

Moderna – Cambridge; biotechnology and vaccine development.

Boston Scientific – Marlborough; medical device manufacturing.

State Street Corporation – Boston; financial services and global banking.

Liberty Mutual – Boston; insurance and financial services.

Dell Technologies – Hopkinton; technology and hardware manufacturing.

These companies depend on efficient container logistics for equipment, products, and materials moving through Boston’s port and inland freight corridors.

Key Ports

Massachusetts’ ports are critical to New England trade, with the Port of Boston being one of the region’s most important container gateways.

Port of Boston (Conley Terminal)

Operated by Massport, Conley Terminal handles nearly all containerized cargo in Massachusetts.

Imports: Consumer goods, electronics, machinery, building materials, textiles, food products, and vehicles.

Exports: Machinery, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, aircraft components, and seafood (especially from New Bedford).

The port serves as New England’s only full-service container terminal, connecting directly to global shipping routes in Europe, Asia, and South America.

Recent upgrades have expanded the terminal’s capacity to handle larger Post-Panamax vessels, enhancing efficiency and throughput.

Port of New Bedford

One of the most valuable fishing ports in the United States.

Handles frozen seafood, seafood exports, and some breakbulk and containerized cargo tied to maritime industries.

Emerging as a staging port for offshore wind energy projects.

Port of Fall River

Handles bulk and general cargo including cement, salt, and project cargo.

Accesses major highways and rail links for inland transport.

Means of Transportation for Containers in Massachusetts

Maritime Shipping:

Ocean carriers connect Boston directly to Europe and Asia.

New Bedford and Fall River support regional marine logistics for specialty goods and bulk cargo.

Rail Freight:

CSX Transportation and Pan Am Railways (now CSX) connect Massachusetts ports to major inland markets across the U.S. and Canada.

Intermodal facilities in Worcester and Springfield handle containerized rail freight for distribution throughout New England.

Trucking:

I-90 (Mass Pike), I-93, and I-95 serve as the main trucking corridors.

Trucking provides the primary “last-mile” connection from Conley Terminal to depots, warehouses, and end users statewide.

Air Freight:

Logan International Airport (Boston) supports high-value and time-sensitive exports such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies.

Massachusetts’ dense urban areas and active construction, manufacturing, and port industries make shipping containers a practical choice for temporary and long-term storage.

Most Common Applications:

Construction & Development:
Secure on-site storage for tools, materials, and safety gear at job sites across Boston, Worcester, and Springfield.

Maritime & Fishing Industries:
Coastal cities such as New Bedford and Gloucester use refrigerated (reefer) containers for seafood storage and processing.

Industrial & Manufacturing:
Factories and suppliers use containers for overflow storage, parts, and finished goods near ports and rail terminals.

Retail & Seasonal Businesses:
Retailers use containers for seasonal merchandise, pop-up shops, and event storage.

Events & Universities:
Colleges, museums, and event planners use containers for exhibits, stage equipment, and secure storage.

Municipal & Emergency Use:
Local governments use containers to store maintenance equipment, emergency supplies, and seasonal road materials.

Residential & Renovation Projects:
Homeowners and contractors use containers for moving, remodeling, or protecting property during construction.