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Why Philly?

LOCATION, VALUE AND WORLDCLASS SERVICE

Philadelphia is well into its third century as a major East Coast port. Located on the Delaware River which spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, the ever expanding complex is a full service deepwater port within a day-and-a- half haul, via truck or rail, of 160 million people in the US and Canada.

Cargo flows seamlessly from dock to destination without the congestion and vagaries of bad weather that disrupt other coastal megaports. With 19 start times, about 45 million metric tons of cargo per year move round-the clock saving time and money.

LOCATION

Located in the heart of the Northeast corridor between New York and Washington, the ports of Philadelphia are supported by two Class 1 rail lines and the country’s finest road network providing easy access to more than 60 percent of the North American population. The prime location has lured 300-plus distribution centers to the region – from Amazon to Volkswagen.

Philadelphia’s reputation as a high tech, high touch port is tied to its long history. Many of the service providers have been headquartered here for generations, so top management is readily available.

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GROWTH

Renowned for its expert handling of perishables, Philadelphia is the largest receiver of Chilean fruit in the US. It also leads in frozen meat, cocoa beans, paper, cars, sugar and dairy products and boasts the largest concentration of refrigerated warehouses in the nation. But forget the niche. No longer just a perishables hub, Philly has expended the money and muscle to morph into a transportation powerhouse capable of meeting all supply chain demands

Proof is in the numbers.Tonnage has grown in the double digits in each of the last five years.

DEEP WATER

Completion of the $303 million deepening of the Delaware River’s main shipping channel to 45 feet is expected to usher in new business when it is completed this year. Deep water is also spurring development of a brand new container port in Philadelphia on a 230-acre site called Southport and a new port in Paulsboro, NJ.

Top Choice

  • Number One for perishables, frozen meat and cocoa beans. Leaders in cars, steel, paper, sugar and dairy products
  • Selected by U.S. Dept. of Defense as a strategic military port
  • Largest receiver of Chilean fruit in U.S.
  • World’s largest fully-enclosed, fully-refrigerated wholesale produce market
  • Adjacent to 12th busiest airport in the world
  • Room to grow at Southport, a 233-acre waterfront complex
  • Infrastructure improvements constantly underway. More than $1 billion in the pipeline
  • Ready to meet full range of supply chain demands
  • Round-the-clock productivity with 19 start times
  • 825 million square feet of warehouse/cold storage
  • Dockside inspections
  • High tech, high touch service
  • Zero port congestion

  Where We Are

Philly port is centrally located between New York and Washington
Click for larger map

  FAST FACTS

  • Superior intermodal connectivity to two Class 1 railroads
  • Immediate access to best highway network in U.S.
  • 45-foot channel connecting PA, NJ and DEL.
  • Unlike ocean-front mega ports, Philly is insulated from adverse weather conditions
  • Overweight legislation for sealed ocean carriers
  • Solid backhaul market
  • More than 300 distribution centers lie within the ports' hinterland.

  We've Got Connections

Maintaining the world-class reputation of the ports of Greater Philadelphia is a big job. Fortunately, we at Ship Philly First are not alone. Meet Our Supporters

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