America’ s leader in port productivity
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
PHILADELPHIA TRADE AND LOGISTICS
PhilaPort
In 2024, PhilaPort also welcomed the largest vessel to call at the port, the 16,200-TEU CMA CGM Marco Polo— a feat made possible by a multiyear effort to deepen the Delaware River channel to 45 feet.
The PhilaPort calling of CMA CGM’ s Marco Polo was made possible by the deepening of the Delaware River channel.
“ All those investments that we’ ve made over the past several years are coming to the fore,” said Sean Mahoney, PhilaPort’ s senior marketing director.
Support also came from the governor’ s office, dating back to former Pennsylvania
Govs. Tom Corbett and Tom Wolf. During his tenure, Wolf invested more than $ 539 million in port infrastructure, warehousing and equipment. This paved the way for the construction of PhilaPort’ s first new terminal in more than 45 years, the Southport Auto Terminal, which opened in 2019.
“ They [ Corbett and Wolf ] were huge supporters of the port and got us to a point where we can grow and we are first class,” said Eric Holt, chief commercial officer for Holt Logistics Corp. Holt Logistics’ client company, Greenwich Terminals LLC, operates the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal.
“ And now we’ re working with Gov. [ Josh ] Shapiro to take that to the next level in terms of investment [ and ] land acquisition,” Holt added.
Meanwhile, companies are building additional distribution centers close to the port, and the state’ s population continues to expand. Eastern Pennsylvania’ s Lehigh Valley,
America’ s leader in port productivity
In 2024, PhilaPort saw growth across several cargo categories: containers( 840,751, up 13 %), automobiles( 281,819, up 9 %) and forest products( 871,309, up 3 %). Both container and automobile totals set new records for the port. Since 2015, container volumes have increased by 97 %. Key highlights of the year included PhilaPort’ s ranking as the most productive container port in North America, increased refrigerated cargo capacity and significant progress on major projects.
Each year, the World Bank and S & P Global Market Intelligence release the Container Port Performance Index, evaluating key port productivity metrics. The 2024 study ranked PhilaPort as the most productive port in North America.
“ We’ re thrilled with our top ranking and are confident that the 2025 survey will deliver great results, as well. But beyond just the index, when you consider things like ship docking times, terminal efficiency, gate processing times, how quickly trucks get on the road and overall customer service, it’ s clear that our Packer Avenue Marine Terminal is the top choice,” said
Sean Mahoney, PhilaPort’ s senior marketing director.
While dry cargoes continue to grow, PhilaPort remains world-renowned as a leader in refrigerated cargo. New refrigerated plugs at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal have brought the total to 4,000; a new, near-dock refrigerated / freezer building is almost completed; and additional new cold storage buildings in the region solidify Philadelphia’ s position as the best port for cold cargoes.
“ With more farm acreage being developed in our key partner countries, we’ re optimistic about continued growth in this important cargo segment. American consumers want fresh fruits, vegetables and meat year-round, and we’ re proud to be the top port for cold cargoes,” said Joe Fox, PhilaPort’ s marketing manager.
Projects in the works in 2025 include a new cruise facility, a new dry warehouse at the Tioga Marine Terminal and the acquisition of land in South Philadelphia. As part of the EPA’ s Clean Ports Program, the port will also receive ten electric forklifts, two container cranes, an electric rail switcher and 26 electric tractors.
“ These projects will allow us to remain among the most productive seaports in North America,” Mahoney said. n
72 Journal of Commerce | May 5, 2025 www. joc. com