Pennsylvania commits $371 million to double Philadelphia port’s container capacity

Governor Josh Shapiro pledged $371 million in state money to support a major expansion of the Port of Philadelphia, supplementing $266 million in federal grants and private investments of roughly $200 million. The project targets a capacity boost to 2 million container units and an 18% increase in auto handling, adding more than 100,000 vehicle slots. PhilaPort expects the upgrades to generate 6,000 new direct jobs and $45 million in yearly tax revenue, based on a study by Hatch that was deemed commercially sensitive.

Key components include two new berths at the Southport Auto Terminal, a 10-acre river fill, and two electric ship-to-shore cranes at the Tioga Marine Terminal. Private partners Holt Logistics and Glovis America, which lease port facilities, will play a central role, while the Teamsters union welcomed the anticipated employment gains. The timeline calls for crane bids this year and berth bids by 2027.