Delaware River ports positioned for widespread growth

The Delaware River ports have for many decades been the East Coast destination for perishables from all over the globe. And the ports along the critical river are primed for expansion as their roles in the US supply chain grow.

Spanning 330 free-flowing miles from the Catskills to Delaware Bay, the Delaware River continues to serve as an economic powerhouse in the Mid-Atlantic Region. And although the river - once known as Lenape Wihittuck to the indigenous Lenni Lenape peoples - has evolved from the days of furs, flour, and textiles, one thing has remained the same - its world class ports are exceptional at moving goods across the globe.

In the next month alone, a new state-of-the-art $635 million container terminal will begin to take shape at Port Wilmington, DE while 25 miles upriver in Philadelphia, cruise ships headed to exotic destinations will call PhilaPort for the first time to bolster what is expected to be another record year in cargo throughput.

“Market demand remains strong despite global headwinds—including tariffs, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, and rising fuel surcharges impacting both ocean and trucking rates. 2025 was a strong year for the Delaware River port community, marked by continued growth, investment, and collaboration across terminals and stakeholders,” said Christian Holt, Sales and Marketing Representative for Holt Logistics, a company that has helped shape the Delaware River waterfront for a century. “For example, Gloucester Terminals has undergone a full transformation—evolving from a traditionally high-performing breakbulk terminal into a unique hybrid operation capable of handling both breakbulk and containerized cargo. This shift has been supported by tens of millions of dollars in strategic infrastructure investment. These investments include the addition of over 1,000 on-dock reefer plugs, demolition of more than 350,000 square feet of outdated warehousing, full terminal paving, and the installation of new inbound and outbound gates—all designed to increase capacity and significantly enhance the experience for customers and truckers.”

PhilaPort Ranks 1# in NA Productivity

Once again, the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence named PhilaPort the #1 most productive container port in North America - the second year in a row. As part of the survey, the firms rank 403 container ports around the world on metrics such as time to berth, time to work the ship, time to move the cargo across the dock, and time to get the ship on its way.

“This accomplishment is a credit to our amazing labor, terminal operator Holt, and significant investments by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Dominic O’Brien, PhilaPort’s senior marketing manager. “We will host our first cruise ship, the NCL Jewel, on April 16. We are constructing a new cruise terminal building on a marine terminal that we are refurbishing. Norwegian Cruise Line will offer service to the Caribbean and to Canada.”

PhilaPort announced in January it handled a record 889,268 TEUs in 2025, representing a 6 percent year-over-year increase in container volume capping a 5-year increase of 39%. O’Brien said all signs indicate the growth will continue.

“We have the permitting and capital dollars to build the first new berth in Philadelphia in 50 years. This will be over 2,000 linear feet and designed to hold ship-to-shore cranes. This will give us added capacity to increase our cargo throughput,” he said. “We recently acquired 173 acres of new land. This is not easy in the U.S. Northeast, as you know. Most Northeast ports are in the middle of older cities, and land is at a premium. However, we were able to gain extensive land directly across from our marine terminals in the Port district. This new land gives us room to grow, and the ability to improve our continental-best productivity even further.”

“(A recently acquired rail intermodal yard) will give us better ability to connect to Norfolk Southern Railway and increase our chances of attracting a direct ocean container service with Asia. We already have good intermodal connections with CSX to the Midwest, and CN to Montreal and Toronto,” O’Brien said. “We are proud of the growth and are continuing to invest in future success. This momentum is driven by steamship lines and importers recognizing the capacity, productivity, and efficiency of Packer Avenue Marine Terminal (PAMT), operated by Greenwich Terminals LLC, compared to other East Coast ports. It is also a direct result of the hard work and dedication of the entire port community and its stakeholders. Pennsylvania’s public-private partnership is working—bringing people together to improve, invest, and drive growth. It’s a true success story. The Commonwealth must continue to invest in the port to fuel job creation and economic activity for both the state and the city of Philadelphia.”

PhilaPort is also ready for the growing cold chain needs of the health sciences industry. Derstine’s Inc. has a new pharmaceutical warehouse in Sellersville, PA and several new ocean container services initiated by MSC, Maersk, Hapag Lloyd and CMA CGM coupled with more than $5 billion in new life sciences/pharma investments in the Delaware Valley give officials confidence the port can significantly grow pharma cargoes.

“As you know, pharma cargoes traditionally move by air. However, given PhilaPort’s efficiency and cold cargo expertise, we see a transition from air to ocean for pharma companies and associated businesses looking for more cost-effective supply chains,” O’Brien said. “The new PhilaPort Distribution Center – Cold (PDC-Cold) will further increase our refrigerated and freezer capacity near-dock for other cold cargoes. New reefer plugs at several inland warehouses add to our refrigerated and freezer assets.”

And PhilaPort continues to strengthen its core perishable business. Last year, $7.1 billion in produce came through Greater Philadelphia ports while $20.4 billion in total food moved through the region.

“The reduced tariffs on food products certainly helps,” O’Brien said. “The US consumer wants fresh, healthy foods year-round, and we are the best port to provide that.”

A quick rundown of PhilaPort perishable highlights:

Argentina: This global ag powerhouse recently received a much larger beef “preferential access quota,” to the United States of 80,000 pounds. PhilaPort is Argentina’s #1 port in the United States for beef, and it expects the quota to increase business.

The Mediterranean: MSC’s new PhilaPort container service offers access to the ports of Aliağa, Tekirdag, Iskenderun, Piraeus, Haifa, Fos-sur-Mer, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, and Sines. As a result, PhilaPort envisions much more Mediterranean food products to arrive at its docks.

Peru: PhilaPort’s fruit and vegetable trade with Peru has increased dramatically over the past decade. The country is adding acreage, growing additional types of fruit, and harvesting bigger crops, and Philadelphia is investing in the infrastructure to receive those crops.

“We are proud of our best-in-the-nation perishables performance. But don’t pigeonhole us! We are great at dry containers as well. Our container terminal operator, Holt, builds their systems around moving ALL the cargo quickly, efficiently, and safely. The fruit won’t wait. It MUST be there on time, or shippers lose money. But that same mentality of “safe urgency” benefits dry cargo shippers as well,” O’Brien said.

For Clayton Manthorpe, President of CMS Transportation Inc., investing in technology is part of PhilaPort’s success.

“CMS has been serving the Philadelphia trade community since 1989 we continue to invest in the tools that enable us to provide these services effectively and efficiently. Tools like larger forklift capacity to support our growing transloading services, or tools like the right drum clamps to handle commodities like honey, lemon oil and tomato paste,” Manthorpe said. “That also includes investing in technology. Our systems enable our drivers and warehouse staff to provide real-time event notification directly to our clients and our processes get our clients the information, documentation they need to get their work done.”

Manthorpe acknowledged the importance of PhilaPort’s integrated continuity of services including niche offerings such as CMS’ LTL cartage to Delaware River ports.

“Sometime the smallest pieces of the puzzle are as essential as the primary components. Full containers end up becoming LTL deliveries and LTL shipments end up becoming full containers. For CMS transportation, much of our business is working with both of these modes and it is an important niche to fill,” he said.

Holt Logistics Update

For Christian Holt, 2026 marks a century of excellence for Holt. Founded in 1926 in Philadelphia, the Holt family’s journey began with the vision and determination of Leo Holt, who purchased a single truck and set out to build something lasting. Alongside his sons, Tom and Leo, he laid the foundation for what would become a leader in the transportation and logistics industry.

Now, four generations later, that same spirit continues to drive the company forward. Tom Holt’s sons and grandsons carry on the legacy—blending innovation with the values of hard work, reliability, and family commitment that have defined Holt for a century.

Throughout the year, the companies will commemorate the milestone with celebrations honoring “our history, our people, and our partners.”

"Reaching 100 years is a rare achievement, and the Holt family is deeply proud of this legacy," Holt said. "With an eye toward the future, Holt Logistics remains committed to investing in infrastructure, technology, and, most importantly, its employees—ensuring the strength and success of the next 100 years."

Both the Gloucester Marine Terminal (GMT) and Packer Avenue Marine Terminal (PAMT) facilities - welcoming new business from existing and new trade lanes - are poised to handle additional cargoes. Gloucester Terminals recently purchased two $20 million ship-to-shore cranes from Liebherr that will be built in Ireland and arrive by summer. Plus, the addition of brand-new on-dock InstaFrio™ chambers enables GMT to attract new business by offering cutting edge technology that extends the shelf life of delicate fruits and vegetables.

Packer Avenue Marine Terminal continues to expand its reefer capabilities, allowing more temperature-controlled containers to move seamlessly through the terminal while maintaining cold chain integrity. Greenwich Terminals has also invested in paving and new equipment to efficiently handle growing cargo volumes.

"PhilaPort's refrigerated/frozen distribution center is a standout success—fully completed inside and out, delivering true Class A quality. It’s a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility designed specifically for customers who demand best-in-class service, reliability, and product integrity, making it an ideal home for high-value perishable goods," Holt said. "Racking installation is underway, bringing the facility to a capacity of over 26,000 pallet positions. Every position is temperature-controlled, ensuring an unbroken cold chain and optimal product quality from arrival to distribution."

In 2025, Gloucester Terminals expanded its container business by adding new ocean carrier partners including Seaboard, Crowley, and Greentide further strengthening its position as a growing gateway for containerized cargo. Breakbulk service from Peru to the US East Coast continues to gain momentum, providing expanded and flexible options for the Peru–US trade lane

Fruit volumes through PAMT and GMT continue to see impressive growth: +9.8% from 2023 to 2024 +12.5% from 2024 to 2025.

Key commodities driving this growth include bananas, grapes, and pineapples, with top import origins from Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru—further reinforcing the region’s leadership as a premier gateway for perishable cargo.

"While smaller than many US ports, Philadelphia has become the #1 destination for food products, particularly perishables. Its best-in-class cold chain infrastructure—combined with fast vessel turnaround, efficient inspections, and rapid gate-out—creates an exceptional customer experience. Importers need speed without compromising quality, and PAMT delivers that better than any port in the country," Holt said. "PAMT is well-positioned for continued growth in 2026. While the start of the year was impacted by tariff uncertainty and concerns at origin, volumes are rebounding. Cargo is flowing, and the port is actively delivering products to consumers’ tables."

Port Wilmington, Delaware

Thirty miles south on the Delaware River, Port Wilmington is also setting itself up for future growth. Earler this year, maritime veteran Eryn Dinyovszky replaced Bayard Hogans as President of Enstructure Mid-Atlantic. She will oversee Enstructure’s operations and commercial activities across Delaware and Pennsylvania, including the development of the new Delaware Container Terminal (DCT) in Edgemoor just north of Port Wilmington.

“In addition to her impressive track record, Dinyovszky shares Enstructure’s commitment to a safe, reliable and efficient approach to logistics,” said Enstructure Co-CEOs Matthew Satnick and Philippe De Montigny in announcing Dinyovszky’s hiring. “We’re confident her perspective and leadership will be instrumental in delivering for our customers, driving economic development, and advancing our industry.”

Dinyovszky has accumulated three decades of maritime industry experience; from serving as a cadet on tankers to helping develop the Khalifa port in Abu Dhabi. Most recently, Dinyovszky has served as CEO of Yilport Holdings Inc.’s Nordic region where she helped build a regional team and managed terminals in Norway and Sweden.

“...the development of Delaware Container Terminal presents an exciting growth opportunity for Enstructure and the State of Delaware. I’m excited to work closely with the Enstructure team, the ILA and the Building Trades to continue our regional expansion,” Dinyovszky said.

“The area is ripe for infrastructure investments. When times are uncertain, there are opportunities to grow. Growth takes change, and change takes grit,” she said.

The DCT is a public-private partnership between Enstructure and the Diamond State Port Corporation (DSPC), a state entity that oversees Port Wilmington. Located on the Delaware River at the Edgemoor site, three miles north of Port Wilmington, the facility hopes to handle up to 1.2 million TEUs. Construction on the DCT is expected to break ground in Q2 2026 and Phase 1 is schedule to be completed in 2028.

At the DSPC’s February meeting, Delaware Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez, who chairs the DSPC, said the US Army Corps of Engineers — which is in charge of issuing the DCT permits — agreed to grant an exception to a rule requiring Delaware to obtain a formal ”statement of no objection” from PhilaPort which opposed the DCT plans for a variety of permitting issues.

On April 8, Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer announced the project is moving forward and the permitting issues had been resolved.

At the same DSPC meeting, Enstructure provided a brief update on the Edgemoor expansion, stating that the site investigations were finalized and they had 60% of the design finalized at this time. Mr. Lopez noted that the next milestone was the contractor’s cost proposal.

In addition to the DCT project, Enstructure continues to invest in Port Wilmington including the multi-million-dollar purchase of two mobile harbor cranes and additional equipment to strengthen Port Wilmington’s bulk operations that will support sustainable, long-term growth. This equipment will improve flexibility and reliability across port operations, helping ensure efficient and consistent service for our customers and the broader community. Enstructure estimates it will deploy the equipment in the spring of 2026.

The company also reported a 100% increase in breakbulk tonnage compared last 12 months vs 2025 and a slight reduction in bulk tonnage plus a 12% increase in overall labor hours and 38% increase in labor wages in the last 12 months vs 2025.

Some other highlights reported at the DSPC meeting:

The facility has expanded forest product operations with anticipated growth in volumes and storage

Moroccan Clementine Volumes Have Increased

Enstructure is actively coordinating with government agencies on ongoing Delaware River dredging, enhancing navigability and future capacity.

The company continues to emphasize improving container operations and crane reliability which has been an issue.

Enstructure invested $1.5 million in warehouses and equipment to optimize cold storage and fumigation capacity ahead of peak fruit season.

Completed multiple successful fumigations for Chilean grapes, working closely with ILA and local partners to uphold food safety standards and handle peak volumes.

For Dinyovszky, taking the top job at a thriving Port Wilmington was an obvious decision.

“Coming back to the United States, I had a few options of employers, but the energy and ambitions of the Enstructure team were such a great fit that it was an easy choice,” she said. “Ports play such an important role in the community. They are pivotal to supporting the economic well-being of both businesses and employees. I see this role as a great place to bring positive benefits to both.”