PhilaPort Marks Historic Milestones with Major Infrastructure Developments and Record Volumes

Philadelphia, January 22, 2025 — PhilaPort is pleased to celebrate a year of outstanding achievements and milestones. In 2024, the port welcomed the largest vessel ever to call the Port of Philadelphia. The CMA CGM Marco Polo, with a capacity of 16,200 TEUs, arrived at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in a celebratory fashion, under a water cannon salute by the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Marine Unit. Accommodating such a massive vessel was a key objective of the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project. With the 45’ channel completed and significant terminal-side infrastructure upgrades, the arrival of the Marco Polo showcased PhilaPort’s capacity to handle the world’s largest ships.

In addition to this milestone, PhilaPort broke ground on a new 165,500-square-foot refrigerated warehouse, marking the final phase in the completion of the PhilaPort Distribution Center. Slated for completion in 2026, this state-of-the-art facility will significantly increase cold storage capacity, meeting the region’s growing demand for refrigerated goods.

PhilaPort also released its Strategic Plan, Destination 2040. This comprehensive plan will guide the port’s development over the next 15 years, ensuring it remains a vital hub for global trade and a key driver of economic growth for the region well into the future.

In 2024, PhilaPort also achieved success on the grant front, securing two federal grants totaling nearly $300 million. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its Clean Ports Program, awarded PhilaPort $79.7 million to fund zero-emission cargo handling equipment and emissions reduction planning. This initiative will improve air quality across the port terminals and benefit the surrounding communities.

Additionally, in September 2024, PhilaPort was awarded an INFRA grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to fund the final phase of berth construction at SouthPort. With Berths 1 and 2 representing the first new berths on the Delaware River in over 55 years, the completed SouthPort Marine Terminal will further enhance infrastructure and capacity.

In terms of volume, PhilaPort reported another year of growth, with a notable 8% increase in total tonnage. Record-breaking numbers were achieved in both containers (840,751 TEUs, up 13%) and new vehicle imports (281,819 units, up 9%).

“We are pleased to report record-breaking volumes in both containers and automobiles this year,” said Jeff Theobald, Executive Director of PhilaPort. “These accomplishments underscore the effectiveness of our infrastructure investments. By enhancing efficiency and capacity, we are not only strengthening our competitive position but also delivering significant benefits to the port, the Commonwealth, and the regional economy.”

“Looking ahead, PhilaPort remains committed to leveraging strategic investments to drive continued growth and volume increases. We are grateful for the unwavering support of our partners, stakeholders, and the port community, and we look forward to another year of achievement in 2025.”