• SCI-Port of New York and New Jersey •

Throughout 2023, the International Seafarers’ Center in Port Newark continued to have a significant impact on the port community. While noting a slight decline in vessel visits—which can be attributed to the ISC operating with one fewer full-time chaplain than usual for most of the year—SCI Chaplains still managed to reach over 10,000 seafarers, representing an almost 4% increase over the previous year. Additionally, the ISC saw an 8.5% increase in foot traffic from the port community into the center, and seafarer transports experienced a significant surge of almost 80%. This growth is linked to increased shore leave for seafarers and the easing of pandemic restrictions imposed on seafarers and port workers.

	2023	2022	% Change
Seafarers Visited	10,179	9,801	+3.9%
Vessels Visited	1,770	1,862	-5%
ISC Visits (Seafarers, Port Workers, Truckers	24,307	22,419	+8.5%
Seafarer Transports	11,691	6,522	+79%

SCI’s Chaplain team at the International Seafarers’ Center in Port Newark (shown assisting with Christmas at Sea). From left to right are the Rev. Dr. Bill Allport, the Rev. James Kollin, and Michelle McWilliams.