September 2023

Thousands of Autos Arrive in One Day



Port of Davisville Continues to Lead in Auto Imports

Subaru vehicles are offloaded at the Port of Davisville.

Quonset’s Port of Davisville continues to thrive as one of North America’s Top Ten auto importers, driving jobs and tax revenue for Rhode Island.

On September 12, two NYK Line ships – the Capricornus Leader and the Oceanus Leader – arrived at the Port and offloaded more than 5,000 brand-new Subaru vehicles. The cars were then processed and customized by Quonset company North Atlantic Distribution (NORAD) before being sent out to dealerships across the Northeast.

Major expansions at the Port of Davisville will allow for continued growth in the auto import industry while positioning the port as a hub for offshore wind in the North Atlantic. QDC has already completed nearly $100 million of the total $234 million investment envisioned by the Port of Davisville Master Plan. This includes the reconstruction of Pier 1 (built in 1941) so that auto imports can continue, while a new multi-purpose pier will soon be constructed to service offshore wind projects. Reconstruction of Pier 2, pictured above, was completed in 2022.

State Senators Tour Business Park

From left: Sens. Hanna Gallo, David Tikoian, Matt LaMountain, Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson,

Sen. John Burke, QDC Managing Director Steven King, Sens. Dawn Euer and Alana DiMario

QDC Managing Director Steven King welcomed State Senator Alana DiMario (North Kingstown, Narragansett, New Shoreham), along with her colleagues, Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson and Senators Hanna Gallo, John Burke, Dawn Euer, Matt LaMountain, and David Tikoian for a tour of the Business Park this afternoon.

The Senate delegation received a briefing on Quonset’s world-class infrastructure and had the opportunity to tour some of Quonset’s many successful companies, including the

J. Goodison Shipyard and the Port of Davisville.

“It was a pleasure to host Senator DiMario and her colleagues. Their continued support is vital to Quonset’s continued growth,” said King. “When the General Assembly invests in the Business Park, the return on that investment is in the billions of dollars every year.”

You’re Invited — Reopening of the

Seabee Chapel in the Pines on Oct. 7! 

Community members gather in the restored Seabee Chapel in the Pines.

During World War II, Quonset was home to a U.S. Naval base which was the original home of the U.S. Naval Construction Battalion, known as the "Fighting Seabees."



For decades, Seabees and their families were married and baptized children in the "Chapel in the Pines." They gathered to worship, and they prayed for safe deployments as they shipped out to posts around the world.

In 1990, nearly two decades after the decommissioning of the Quonset Naval Air Station, the Seabee Chapel was closed due to extensive water damage. Thanks to the hard work and generosity of a committed team of loyal Seabee veterans, volunteers, and donors, the chapel has now been restored to its former glory and is reopening to the public.

The Seabee Museum and Memorial Park is hosting a celebration on Saturday, October 7 at 10:00 a.m. at the Seabee Chapel in the Pines at 21 Iafrate Way, North Kingstown.

We invite you to join the Seabee community to commemorate the history of the chapel and honor the dedicated veterans who worked to restore it. 

The "Fighting Seabee" stands watch over Seabee Memorial Park.