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Port Of Philadelphia News

03 Dec 2020

River Services Integrated Into Northstar Marine

(Photo: Northstar Marine)

Northstar Marine, Inc. has finalized the integration of River Services (wholly owned by Northstar Marine, Inc.) a Philadelphia based marine service provider. River Services is now a new division of Northstar, and will operate as Northstar River Services.River Services was founded in 2013 to provide professional marine services in and around the Port of Philadelphia which includes launch, crew boat, and tug and barge operations.Phillip Risko, is the President and CEO of Northstar Marine, Inc., a marine services company that has been operating in the tri-state area since 1990.

26 Jul 2020

Pennsylvania Extends Cargo Growth Incentive Program

(File photo: PhilaPort)

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced that the state's Intermodal Cargo Growth Incentive Program (PICGIP), which aims to increase cargo activity by incentivizing shippers to move cargo through Pennsylvania ports, will be extended through 2022. The program was previously slated to end in June 2020."Right now, Pennsylvania's ports are more vital than ever," Governor Wolf said. "Increasing shipping activity will help ensure that essential goods are delivered to stores in a timely manner…

16 Jun 2020

Containership Crewman Pleads Guilty in $1 Bln Drug Bust

MSC Gayane at the Port of Philadelphia (Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

A crew member from the containership MSC Gayane pleaded guilty to cocaine trafficking stemming from a $1 billion bust in the Port of Philadelphia, one of the largest drug seizures in U.S. history.The 27-year-old Montenegrin Vladimir Penda entered a plea of guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Harvey Bartle III on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine on a vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction, U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain announced Monday.

10 Jul 2019

U.S. CBP Seizes MSC Gayane following Cocaine Bust

Photo of MCS Gayane moored in Philadelphia after CBP's record cocaine seizure.On June 17, the CBP and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led multi-agency team detected anomalies in seven shipping containers and extracted 39,525 pounds of cocaine. The cocaine has a street value of about $1.3 billion. CREDIT: US CBP

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Area Port of Philadelphia seized the MSC Gayane Thursday following a record seizure of 20 tons of cocaine on June 17.Upon application from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania issued a seizure warrant for the vessel.On Thursday, July 4, CBP executed the warrant and seized the MSC Gayane. CBP has various seizure and forfeiture authorities under Title 19 of the United States Code (USC).“The MSC Gayane is the largest vessel seized in U.S.

24 Jun 2019

17.5 Tons of Cocaine found on Containership

Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-led multi-agency examination of shipping containers at the Philadelphia seaport netted a historic load of cocaine, the largest cocaine seizure in the 230-year history of U.S. Customs and CBP, with an estimated weight of over 17.5 tons and a street value of about $1.1 billion.During a midstream joint boarding Sunday night, CBP, HSI, and U.S. Coast Guard authorities detected anomalies while examining seven shipping containers aboard the MSC Gayane…

19 Jun 2019

Cocaine Seized in Philadelphia Port

Federal officials in Philadelphia seized more than 15,000 kilos of cocaine with a street value of more than $1 billion at the Philadelphia Port, making it the largest seizure ever for the eastern district of Pennsylvania area and one of the biggest in U.S. history.According to various media report, quoting law enforcement officials, more than 15,500 kilos of cocaine were found in seven containers, which were found aboard a cargo ship, the MSC Gayane, that previously stopped in Colombia, Chile, Panama and the Bahamas.A press release from the MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company said that it is aware of reports of an incident at the Port of Philadelphia in which U.S. authorities made a seizure of illicit cargo.MSC noted it has a longstanding history of cooperating with U.S.

02 May 2019

U.S. Dredgers Applaud President for Jones Act Support

Wednesday, 1 May: Late this afternoon, President Donald Trump met with Congressional leaders from the Senate and House to discuss U.S. Maritime Policy. On the table was the Jones Act. President Trump assured the Congressional leaders that he is not seeking any changes to the Jones Act, nor is he seeking any waivers.“President Trump had the Jones Act matters all under control from the get-go”, said William P. Doyle, CEO & Executive Director of the Dredging Contractors of America. “Mr. Trump is all about jobs and national security — he’s never wavered on this.

05 Feb 2019

PhilaPort Awaits for Container Cranes

The M/V Zhen Hua 25 departed Shanghai, China last month with two new super post-Panamax container cranes bound for South Philadelphia.The two behemoths will navigate a lengthy global trek before reaching the Delaware River for an expected mid-March arrival to the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, said a press note from the Port of Philadelphia."The arrival will mark another important milestone in the comprehensive modernization project underway at Packer, and highlights a key competitive advantage for shippers looking to improve time to market on the East Coast of the United States," it said.“Our terminal is currently under capacity, meaning we could handle rerouted surplus bound for nearby congested terminals immediately without blinking an eye…

03 Jul 2018

The Inouye: The Largest American-Made and American-Crewed Containership Ever Built

The Inouye: The Largest American-Made and American-Crewed Containership Ever Built (Image CREDIT: Marad)

I was honored to be present in South Philadelphia on June 30 to witness the christening of the largest container ship ever built in the United States. It was built by Philly Shipyards for shipping company, Matson, Inc., and was named for the former Hawaii senator, war hero, and long-standing maritime champion Daniel K. Inouye. At a time when the U.S. maritime industry is fighting to keep its place among international competitors, this event was a momentous occasion. Built for the Hawaii trade…

09 Jan 2018

$22 Mln Cocaine Bust in Port of Philadelphia

Philadelphia CBP seized 709 pounds of cocaine concealed in furniture shipped from Puerto Rico. (Photo: CBP)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said its officers in the Port of Philadelphia seized 709 pounds of cocaine concealed inside furniture on a containership arriving from Puerto Rico, the largest local cocaine load discovered by the CBP in a decade. Officers made the discovery after detecting an anomaly in one of the shipping containers while conducting inspections a seaport in Pennsauken, N.J., on November 2. The contents of the container were emptied at CBP’s Centralized Examination Station in Philadelphia…

06 Aug 2016

First “Neo-Panamax” Calls Port of Philadelphia

The first of a new class of “Neo-Panamax” shipping vessels called the Port of Philadelphia to begin a new phase of transport along the Delaware River. The MSC Sofia Celeste, an 8,800 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) vessel operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, docked at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in South Philadelphia for the first time, making it the largest ship to ever call the Port of Philadelphia. “This new service comes as a direct result of the opening of the Panama Canal Expansion,” said David Whene, President of Greenwich Terminals LLC, operator of the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. The MSC Sofia Celeste was completed in 2014 and has an on-board capacity of 8…

26 Jun 2014

The Rise of Primary and Secondary Maritime Schools

Maritime Academy offers the only elective class in small engine repair which is unique to public school education in Philadelphia (Photo courtesy Maritime Charter High School in Philadelphia).

Education for the next generation, employment for life. A new source of talent emerges for maritime stakeholders everywhere. Primary and secondary maritime schools are sprouting up across the country, inspiring K-12 students to learn about the exciting, yet sometimes obscured domestic waterfront. The goals of these maritime school programs are many and multifaceted, but at the core they motivate and engage students by bringing something new and exciting to the classroom while giving teachers an effective means for capturing the attention of their classes.

25 Mar 2014

Maersk Line Art-Box Arrives in Philadelphia

Photo: Maersk Line

Maersk Line, an ocean transportation company and a unit of the Maersk Group, announced today the arrival of the Maersk Line Reefer Art-Box, a 40’ high-cube, at the Port of Philadelphia marking the first voyage of the container designed to promote container shipping. The Art-Box’s inaugural shipment contains frozen OP Columbia’s Coromandel Greenshell mussels from New Zealand. The mussel shipment is destined for Mark Foods, New York. Maersk Line and the Port of Auckland, New Zealand co-commissioned two famous…

19 Apr 2013

Governor Welcomes Horizon Lines to Philadelphia

Horizon Lines relocated its Northeast port of call from Elizabeth, New Jersey to Philadelphia, to mark another milestone for the Port of Philadelphia. Led by Governor Tom Corbett and political and business leaders from across the region, the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal welcomed Horizon Lines, Inc., one of  the nation's premier containerized cargo shipping lines, to Philadelphia. Under terms of the agreement between Horizon and Packer, reached with the assistance of Governor Corbett and other Commonwealth officials, Horizon will call Packer 52 times a year, providing weekly service between the Northeast U.S. and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

07 Mar 2013

Horizon Lines Prefer Philadelphia Terminal to Elizabeth NJ

'Horizon Alliance': Photo credit Horizon Lines

Horizon Lines, Inc announce it will move its northeast terminal operations to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from Elizabeth, New Jersey, effective April 11, 2013. After an extensive review of options and a detailed evaluation of other ports connecting the northeast to Puerto Rico, Horizon Lines chose the Port of Philadelphia to better serve its customers and improve cost efficiencies. "The Port of Philadelphia's strategic location and terminal facilities are expected to produce a number of significant advantages for Horizon Lines customers in the Puerto Rico trade lane…

20 Dec 2012

Strategic Seaports

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD), has designated particular ports around the United States as “strategic seaports.”  Strategic seaports are designated because of their ability to support major force and material deployments in times of war and national emergency, based on their proximity to deploying military units and their transportation links close to those units, and varying other capabilities the DOD has deemed important…

07 Aug 2012

Dredging Works to Bring Post-Panamax Ships to US East Coast Port

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett announces signature of third Delaware River dredging contract. Governor Tom Corbett was joined by the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority and other dignitaries to announce signature of the third Delaware River dredging contract needed to continue deepening the channel from just south of the Philadelphia International Airport to the Walt Whitman Bridge. "This continuation will allow the Port of Philadelphia to compete with deep-water ports up and down the East Coast," said Corbett. The third contract was awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for $14.55 million and was signed on July 31. Approximately $1 million of commonwealth funds along with $13.55 million of federal funds were used to make this award.

02 Aug 2012

Moller Tapped for NAVSAC

Blank Rome’s Jeffrey Moller

Blank Rome’s Jeffrey Moller Appointed to Navigation Safety Advisory Council. Jeffrey S. Moller, Blank Rome LLP Partner and Product Liability, Mass Torts, insurance Practice Group Leader has been appointed to the Navigation Safety Advisory Council (NAVSAC) as a member representing the viewpoint of the Maritime Law Association. The NAVSAC provides valuable assistance to the Department of Homeland Security on matters related to prevention of collisions, ramming and groundings, including the Inland and International Rules of the Road…

09 Oct 2011

Ryan Joins Customized Brokers as Logistics Specialist

Christopher Ryan Joins Customized Brokers as Perishables Logistics Specialist. Customized Brokers, the Miami-based customs brokerage specializing in the clearance of fresh produce into the United States, has named Christopher Ryan as perishables logistics specialist for the Northeast. He is based in Pennsauken, N.J., and reports to Customized Brokers General Manager Nelly Yunta. In this position, Ryan is responsible for business development, customer service, and maintaining relationships with terminals, government agencies and industry associations in the Northeast, including those in Delaware, Pennsylvania and parts of New York. "We are very pleased to have Christopher join us at Customized Brokers," said Yunta.

21 Sep 2011

Stretching the Bounds of State Sovereignty

The operation of vessels in international commerce has never been more complicated than it is today, particularly from the standpoint of regulatory compliance. A vessel operator must be cognizant of international, national, state and local regulatory requirements. In an ideal world, the regulations of subjects such as navigation safety, crew licensure or pollution would be uniform so that an operator could understand the law and more easily comply. In cases where the requirements of one jurisdiction differ from those of another, it would certainly be helpful to know where the line of demarcation between one jurisdiction and another could be firmly drawn. The regulation of air pollution emitted from large oceangoing vessels has been the subject of an international treaty for many years.

29 Jul 2011

GAC USA, Wightman Shipping Join Forces

GAC USA has formed an alliance with Wightman Shipping Co. in the United States of America (USA). Operating as GAC-Wightman Shipping, the collaboration offers shipping services across North-eastern and Mid-Atlantic ports in Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Wightman Shipping was established in 1983. In addition to ship agency, it provides specialised services such as spares delivery, crew changes and bunker supplies etc. “Tapping into GAC’s global network, this agreement provides us with the capability of handling existing and prospective clients at ports around the world,” commented David Wightman, owner of Wightman Shipping.

27 Jul 2010

Two Finalist Proposals for New Port of Philadelphia Terminal

Less than three months after seeking proposals from interested parties to design, operate and maintain a major new marine terminal in South Philadelphia, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced on July 23 the shortlist of teams that will continue in the solicitation process developing a public-private partnership that is expected to bring millions of dollars of investment to the region. One of the teams selected was a consortium comprising Delaware River Stevedores (DRS) and Hyundai Merchant Marine America (HMMA). DRS is a joint venture between Carrix Inc., and Ports America Group, the two largest independent terminal operating companies in the United States. DRS has vast stevedoring experience at several major U.S. ports, including the Port of Philadelphia.

08 Jul 2010

Two Missing After Boat, Barge Collision

Crews of the Coast Guard, Philadelphia fire and police, New Jersey police and others are searching for two people after a collision between a duck boat and a barge near Penn's Landing in Philadelphia. Ten of the passengers were taken to Hahnemann University Hospital. At 2:39 p.m. a collision occurred between a duck boat, with 35 passengers and two crewmen, and the 250-foot tug and barge Caribbean Sea on the Delaware River in about 10 feet of water. The Coast Guard launched boat crews from Station Philadelphia and Aids to Navigation Team Philadelphia and an MH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., to rescue those in distress.