May 4, 2026 | Page 59

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PHILADELPHIA TRADE AND LOGISTICS

“ Philadelphia is the largest gateway for bananas into the United States,” Sappio noted.“ It provides a stable foundation for perishable imports.”

From 2023 to 2024, PAMT and Gloucester Marine Terminal saw increased growth in perishables and fruits at 9.8 %. That rose to 12.5 % from 2024 to 2025. Key commodities driving this growth included bananas, grapes and pineapples, with top import origins in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru.

The growth is broad-based. Holt pointed to the upcoming summer citrus season in South Africa, which will impact both breakbulk and direct container services. Mahoney highlighted Peru’ s dramatic expansion in fruit and vegetable exports, supported by new acreage and improved infrastructure. Schriwer sees Mexico as a major growth market.

“ Mexico has a lot of potential,” he said.“ Our cargo is all containerized, dry and reefer. The reefer market takes longer to cultivate, but we’ re doing hundreds of loads.”

Speed to market

PhilaPort’ s ability to move perishables to buyers faster than any other port on the East Coast is well known across the trade and logistics industry.

“ Unlike other ports up and down the East Coast, Philadelphia has zero congestion,” Holt said.

This is due partly to the full transformation of Gloucester Marine Terminal, which has evolved from a traditionally high-performing breakbulk terminal into a hybrid operation capable of handling both breakbulk and containerized cargo. Tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure investment have supported this shift, resulting in over 1,000 new on-dock reefer plugs, demolition of outdated warehousing, full terminal paving, and new inbound and outbound gates designed to improve truck flow.

One significant advancement is the installation of new on-dock“ Frio Chambers,” which extend the shelf life of delicate fruits and vegetables. The chambers are attracting new business from growers who require precise temperature control.

Packer Avenue Marine Terminal has continued to expand its reefer capabilities, as well, allowing more temperature-controlled containers to move seamlessly through the terminal

while maintaining cold-chain integrity.

“ The fruit won’ t wait,” Mahoney said.“ It must be there on time, or shippers lose money. That same mentality of safe urgency benefits dry cargo shippers as well.”

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is a competitive differentiator for inbound Mexican cargo.

“ It’ s the fastest maritime connection to the Northeast and Canada,” Schriwer said.“ Train is a day, trucking is two days. It’ s incredibly efficient.”

Philadelphia has long mastered speed-