A Philadelphia Port Makeover

The Port of Philadelphia is getting a $300 cash infusion from the Wolf administration to upgrade ship berths, buy new cranes, and update and relocate warehouses. The activity is expected to double cargo-handling space and create 2,000 waterfront jobs, and nearly 7,000 total jobs for truckers, rail workers, suppliers, and port-related businesses.

1. Packer Avenue Marine Terminal

A $188 million state investment is expected to nearly double cargo business, from 456,000 to 900,000 containers annually, through:

• Deepening berths from 42 to 45 feet, in line with the Delaware River’s main navigation channel, to accommodate larger ships.

• Installing four “post-Panamax” container cranes, the world’s largest.

• Strengthening and improving berth infrastructure.

• Demolishing warehouses on docks to increase acreage for cargo handling, and building new warehouses nearby.

2. Publicker lot

Another 40 acres will be added for handling container cargo.

3. Philadelphia Auto Port

A $93 million state investment at the Southport site at the Navy Yard will provide 155 additional acres for autos, increasing annual imports from the current 155,000 to 350,000. A former seaplane hangar will be converted into a second auto-processing center.

4. Tioga Marine Terminal

In Port Richmond

The port projects a 21 percent increase in “break bulk” cargo from a $12 million state investment that would improve warehouse capacity, add a mobile harbor crane, and fund improvements to allow cargo to be loaded to train cars in inclement weather.

SOURCE: Philadelphia Regional Port Authority; aerial imagery by Google Earth Pro