The Port of Albany-Rensselaer, widely known as the Port of Albany, is a major port operating year-round on both sides of the Hudson River within Albany and Rensselaer, New York. The name Port of Albany-Rensselaer came into use in 1925, though separate private and public port facilities have existed in both cities since the 17th century.[3] The Albany Basin and Erie Canal were both constructed with public funds in 1825 leading to a huge boost in the shipping industry.[4][5] The current port location was constructed in 1932 under Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt.[6] Public and private facilities not owned by the Port of Albany continue to exist in both cities, though they tend to be recreational and non-commercial.

The Port of Albany is replacing 500 feet (150 m) of wharvage at a cost of $7.6 million in 2008 and 2009.[24] In late March 2008 a proposal for a $350 million ethanol plant was approved by the Albany Port District Commission,[25] but the project has been held up due to financing issues.

he Port of Albany and the private companies located there bring to the Capital District's economy $428 million in direct spending and 1,382 jobs. The port has a U.S. Customs office as it is a port of entry. The Albany Port Customs District includes all of the following counties: Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington; along with the parts of Dutchess, Sullivan, and Ulster counties north of 41° 42' N. latitude. The 35 acres (140,000 m2) on the Rensselaer side of the port is site C of Foreign Trade Zone number 121. A significant amount of the port is part of New York's Empire Zone program, which gives port tenants breaks on state income tax along with various benefits and tax breaks from the city of Albany.