History of the Port of Philadelphia
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.