Philadelphia port row
PLANS now underway to develop the Port of Philadelphia could be scuppered by a food distribution centre (FDC), a group of port users claims. Ports of the Delaware River Marine Trade Association (PMTA) and Maritime Exchange of the Delaware River and Bay say plans that could see the East Coast US port eventually employing some 175,000 people and handling more than 3.5 million containers annually are at risk. Maritime and port interests are lobbying politicians and the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority to relocate the FDC away from the area. The FDC, which does not require waterfront access, would ultimately block the port's access to the three Class One railways that convene near the site-a major and unique advantage for the port.
PMTA president Uwe Schulz said: “The Southport location, which encompasses the Philadelphia Navy Yard, provides great hope of bringing jobs back to a shrinking employment market here and allow our region to take a significant role in the world trade arena." He noted that Philadelphia is already the largest breakbulk handling port on the East Coast.