PhilaPort container volumes grow despite pandemic recession

Container volumes through PhilaPort’s Packer Avenue Marine Terminal are up 5%. The Port of Philadelphia continues to sustain its eight-month surge and remains the only U.S. East Coast port to grow cargo volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are extremely proud of our results,” said Jeff Theobald, PhilaPort Executive Director & CEO. “This proves that the infrastructure work we have done, in conjunction with the hard work of our longshoremen, terminal operator, Greenwich Terminals, and commercial support from Holt Logistics, is already paying off.”

Although the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal handles a wide array of cargoes, it is well known throughout the world as a leader in the handling and distribution of refrigerated cargoes.

“We are on track to record double-digit growth in refrigerated cargo volume for 2020,” said Leo Holt, President of Holt Logistics. “Consumer demand for fresh fruits and vegetables remains at an all-time high. We remain ready to meet this demand and provide a safe and efficient supply chain for our clients.” The surge of cargo comes at the same time that the long-awaited Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project is completed. The Pilots’ Association of the Delaware Bay and River has been working in close collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard to safely increase the size of the vessels permitted to transit the Delaware River.

“We will be able to handle the same size vessels that call the Port of NY/NJ,” said Sean Mahoney, PhilaPort Director of Marketing “And, now that we have this and other major infrastructure improvements in place, developers are taking notice. They are continuing their investments in new distribution warehousing in South Jersey and Lehigh Valley.”