Judge Dismisses Lawsuit By NY Ports' Largest Operator, Maher Terminals

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the operator of the largest marine container terminal at the Port of New York and New Jersey, Maher Terminals.

Maher has operated at the Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal for more than 60 years and leases a 445-acre terminal from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The company paid about $22 million in basic rent in 2012, according to court filings.

In 2012, Maher filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Port Authority of charging it discriminatory and excessive fees for loading and unloading vessels.

In a ruling last week, a judge in Newark said the Port Authority didn't run afoul of federal maritime laws by charging the fees, some of which were used to help pay for a harbor deepening project.

The bi-state agency oversees bridges, tunnels, airports and seaports, as well as the World Trade Center site and Port Authority Bus Terminal.

You Might Also Be Interested In:

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)