End of an Era: Sugar Refinery Closure Transforms New York City Suburb's Maritime Landscape

according to gCaptain,the iconic Domino sugar refinery in Yonkers,New York,is set to shut its doors by year’s end.This closure marks the end of an era for the 130-year-old facility and signifies a continuing trend of de-industrialization along the Hudson River that has been evolving for many years. ASR Group made this declaration in a recent press release, highlighting their strategy to consolidate operations within the northeastern U.S.

Last year, the Yonkers plant was handling around 40 maritime deliveries annually of raw sugar—mostly sourced domestically from West Palm Beach via dry bulk barges—with occasional shipments from Caribbean suppliers using foreign vessels. Following this closure, ASR plans to shift demand to its other refineries located in chalmette, Louisiana and baltimore, Maryland. A representative from ASR confirmed that once operations cease at Yonkers, Baltimore will ramp up waterborne shipments considerably. The company recently allocated $45 million towards a new raw sugar warehouse in Baltimore set to open this July with a capacity of 100 million pounds.

In addition to these changes, ASR is expanding its Buffalo facility and constructing a new rail-accessible bulk transfer site at an undisclosed location. They also acquired IngredientsPlus last year—a Rochester-based manufacturer with facilities across western new York and Pennsylvania—which will now receive refined sugar from both Baltimore and Chalmette plants.

As for what lies ahead for the Yonkers site itself? That remains uncertain; however, local officials seem less inclined toward attracting another industrial user for this waterfront property. Mayor Mike Spano expressed on social media that they view this as an chance for further transformation within Yonkers: “Housing and recreation are more suitable uses for our Hudson waterfront today,” he stated while emphasizing their commitment to serving all residents’ interests moving forward.

The closure leaves only a few manufacturers still utilizing maritime facilities along what was once a bustling industrial riverfront. For instance,about 20 miles north of Yonkers lies CertainTeed’s wallboard plant which regularly imports gypsum by bulk ship from Spain. Further upstream near Albany is Innovative Surface Solutions producing de-icing solutions using tanker-loads of magnesium chloride; meanwhile Ravenna continues operating its cement plant supplying terminals throughout the northeast via barge.

Despite fewer factories dotting the landscape now than before, ports like Albany and Coeymans remain active hubs for bulk cargoes including oil products and scrap metal—keeping trade alive on this vital corridor.