Wolf hails Penn Terminals growth, sees more ahead
EDDYSTONE » Gov. Tom Wolf and state Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards on Friday visited Penn Terminals Inc. to tour the facility and commend the operation for bringing more than 500 jobs to the Philadelphia area.
Wolf spoke of the recent investment of state funds in Penn Terminals and noted a multiyear Stevedoring Terminal Service Agreement, by which Crowley Maritime Corp., located on Petty Island, N.J., will transfer its weekly Puerto Rico container service to Penn Terminals in January 2018.
The relocation was made possible in part due to a $17 million capital investment in terminal infrastructure from Penn Terminals, in addition to a $3 million grant in port funds from the state Multimodal Transportation Fund.
The move is expected to generate more than $23 million annually in salaries, with tax revenue estimated at $9 million.
“The state has just invested $300 million to make what goes on here be a lot better and more efficiently,” Wolf said. “The idea is to bring thousands of jobs into the area.”
Wolf said it cost $20 million to bring Crowley across the r iver, which will help in the process of making the port “world class.”
Wolf pointed to goods being off loaded and said that even though New York has it’s own port, it has proven to be less expensive and more efficient to off load the product at Penn Terminals Inc., and transport via ground to New York.
“The port’s strategic location and our track record of making serious transportation investments has again paid dividends for Pennsylvanians,” Wolf said. “I’m thrilled that we’re bringing even more activity and good-paying jobs into the region through this state and nership.
Richards discussed PennDOT ’s Intermodal Cargo Growth Incentive Program, which private part- awards $25 per container lift above previously reported lift totals as well as for new containerized cargo shipping ser v ices. The program commits up to $1 million annually through 2019 to encourage ocean carriers to transport more to and from the Port of Philadelphia and was made possible by Act 89, the state transportation plan.
“Pennsylvania’s role in goods movement is significant, and we’re committed to continuing to grow business at our por ts,” Richards said. “This is one more example of how we’re improving regional economies by developing transportation assets ... Since the cargo incentive program began in 2015, roughly $2 million has been distributed to six companies. Of the carriers participating in the program, container volumes have increased 32 percent.”
Also on-hand for the tour was state Sen. Tom K illion, R-9 of Middletown; state Rep Brian Kirkland, D-159 of Chester; and Penn Terminals Inc. CEO John Brennan and CFO John Kane.
“We are honored have the partnership to of the commonwealth and Crowley as we begin this exciting opp or t u n it y,” Brennan said. “We look forward to a long-term relationship that will support growth at Crowley, the terminal and the region alike.”
Kirkland said he hopes many jobs will be created for residents of the 159th District.
“This will also heighten awareness of the port as well as the many other things we have here ,” Kirkland said.
Crowley Senior Vice President and General Manager of Puerto Rico ser vices John Hourihan praised Penn Terminals for being very accommodating.
“We look forward to a long-term, mutually-beneficial relationship,” Hourihan said. “Additionally, this new contract further illustrates our commitment to the Puerto Rico market and to our customers who find value in utilizing our portfolio of supply chain solutions out of the Northeast.”