History of the Port of Philadelphia
For most of its early history, the Port of Philadelphia thrived and expanded without major guidance from a central governing authority or organization. It was during these initial years that all manner of cargoes arrived or departed via the city’s docks, establishing the Port’s reputation for the fast, expert handling of any cargo imaginable and its central role in the economic health of the city and region.
Seaplane Aviation on the Delaware River
Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront was an important center for seaplane aviation during much of the 20th century. The innovations and technologies that developed there, whether used for recreational flight, military training, or military equipment manufacture, made significant contributions to the field of seaplane aviation. During World Wars I and II and the interwar years, advancements in the design and production of military seaplanes on the Delaware River greatly enhanced the United States’ military capabilities, both domestically and overseas. Activities surrounding seaplane aviation occurred primarily in two locations: the Lazaretto and Mustin Field. To learn more, click here.
Mustin Seaplane Hangar
The Mustin Seaplane Hangar was constructed in 1942-1943 to build seaplanes for the U.S. Navy during World War II. The building was constructed of Thin-Shelled Concrete, which was designed to produce maximum structural strength for the least amount of building material. To read about the building’s designer and to watch a video about the building, please click on the links below.
In 1965, the non-profit, quasi-public Philadelphia Port Corporation (PPC) had the power to issue municipal bonds to raise funds for port improvements and expansion. Revenue to pay the bonds’ debt service was realized primarily through leasing the city’s port facilities – now under the jurisdiction of the PPC – to private operating companies.
These private operating companies operated their respective port facilities on a day-to-day basis with marketing assistance from the Philadelphia Port Corporation. This model (private operation of publicly owned port facilities supported by marketing and capital assistance from a central public agency) continues into the present.
Major port improvements were made in the 1960’s and 70’s under the auspices of the Philadelphia Port Corporation. These included:
- 106-acre Packer Avenue Marine Terminal
- And Tioga Marine Terminal
The Commonwealth recognized the vital importance of its seaport asset and it agreed to take the active role requested of it. The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA), an independent state agency, was established July 10, 1989.
In the early 1990’s, PRPA completed much needed facility improvement projects, including:
- Additional on-dock warehouse space at Tioga Marine Terminal
- New refrigerated warehouse space at Pier 82
- Forest products warehouse at the Piers 78 & 80 – Forest Products Distribution Center
PhilaPort continues to work with the private operating companies still running the port facilities, with the ongoing aim of maintaining and increasing cargo activity.
Along with maintaining all of its facilities, PhilaPort aggressively assists its terminal operators in the marketing and promotion of the Port around the world. The Authority works with other port and transportation agencies, foreign consulates, and business and trade groups along the Delaware River and throughout the region on issues of mutual concern such as the monitoring of relevant regulatory issues and trade outreach to other countries.
In 2002, The Port of Philadelphia was named the nation’s 14th Strategic Military Port by the U.S. Department of Defense, making it one of only 14 ports in the United States permitted to handle the nation’s military cargoes destined for various points around the globe.
PhilaPort is also on the verge of accomplishing one of the Port’s long-held goals: the deepening of the Delaware River’s main shipping channel from 40 to 45 feet, which will allow the Port to accommodate substantially more of the world’s cargo vessels, which get bigger every year.
Everything we do at PhilaPort comes down to our basic mission: securing new port customers, making needed improvements, and keeping the Port busy as possible.
As we never forget, the Port is a vital economic engine of the City and region, and it must remain so. Nothing is more important than protecting The Port of Philadelphia’s 300-plus year legacy as a major center of maritime industrial commerce.