New London — The Connecticut Port Authority is now in control of the State Pier property, and responsible for the maritime functions previously under the state Department of Transportation, effectively launching the quasi-public agency.

The changes officially went into effect July 1.

The port authority exists to develop and market the state's ports and promote its maritime economy.

DOT was the previous landlord of State Pier, and will retain a small piece of the property under the Gold Star Bridge, as the department has "a lot of work to do in the years ahead" on the span, said Scott Bates, chairman of the port authority's board.

State Pier revenues, which previously went to the state's special transportation fund, will now go to the port authority.

The principal source of that revenue is operating agreements with Logistec USA Inc., and a lease with the Thames River Seafood Cooperative.

Under a new three-year agreement, effective May 1, Logistec operates the entire State Pier property to include the Central Vermont Railroad Pier, which previously was leased to Thames River Seafood.

The three-year contract includes a two-year renewal option, according to Frank Vannelli, Logistec's senior vice president for commercial and business development for North America.

This has allowed the company to renew contracts with "key customers importing steel products and road salt for multiple years," Vannelli said by email.

Vannelli said the company already has contracted six customers including fishing fleet and marine construction companies at the Central Vermont Railroad Pier.

Revenues from the State Pier lease are expected to be $568,000 this fiscal year, which began July 1.

Additionally, the state authorized $400,000 for the port authority this fiscal year.

The port authority was established in 2014 and authorized by law to exist as of July 1, 2015, but it took some time for it to take shape.

The authority's board first met at the end of February, and at its most recent meeting on June 23, approved a roughly $1 million operating budget for this fiscal year.

The budget includes $200,000 for marketing, and $306,450 for salary and benefits for an executive director and an executive assistant, who will do much of the administrative work, help run the port authority and manage the board.

Since the two positions are not expected to be filled until later in the fiscal year, the personnel costs are lower than next year's, which is expected to be $432,000.

The board has hired a firm to help with the national search for an executive director.

Bates said the board expects to whittle down the pool to a few candidates in the next couple of months.

Now that the port authority has taken over DOT's maritime functions, it will oversee the grants-in-aids program that many of the smaller harbors in the state use for dredging and other infrastructure projects.

Those involved with the state's small to mid-size harbors voiced concern throughout the legislative process, and even before, that their needs wouldn't be addressed under the port authority.

Bates, of Stonington, has vowed to meet with officials in every maritime municipality in the state, and said he has been to Darien, West Haven, Fairfield, Stonington and New London so far.

"Smaller ports and harbors are always on my mind and close to my heart. Working together is the key, and together there is nothing we can't do," Bates said by email.

On Thursday in New London, there will be an official signing ceremony to mark the transfer of responsibilities from DOT to the port authority.

Future plans also will be discussed.

j.bergman@theday.com