PhilaPort breaks monthly cargo throughput records in August

The Philadelphia seaport in August 2017 broke its previous record for total monthly tonnage that was established just a few months earlier in May.    PhilaPort, the seaport formerly known at the Port of Philadelphia, set three throughput records last month, including the handling 667,069 metric tons of cargo in August, its highest ever monthly total, according to data released Sept. 21.
   The previous record for total monthly tonnage was established a few months earlier in May, when 625,935 metric tons were handled.
   The port also broke new records for monthly container throughput, moving 54,185 twenty-foot equivalent units, and forest products, which reached 109,604 metric tons last month, data show.
   In the container cargo segment, the old record was 50,152 TEUs, which was achieved this past January, according to port statistics. The total tonnage of the cargo inside PhilaPort’s August containers was 376,517 metric tons, which the port says also constituted a new record.
   The former monthly record for forest products was set in September 2016, when 108,980 metric tons crossed the docks. Leading forest products categories at the port include paper, pulp, and lumber. 
   The records were set as the port is in the midst of a development project in which it aims to expand capacity to meet current market demand, as well as capitalize on growth potential within the industry.
   “We are proud that we can increase cargo volumes while working on our port development plan,” PhilaPort Senior Director of Business Development Greg Iannarelli said in a statement. “Our goal is to minimize disruptions to customers while we construct the infrastructure necessary to improve the port, and so far, we are achieving the goal.”
   Supply chain professionals have listed a number of factors to account for Philadelphia’s impressive growth so far this year, including the rising awareness of the port, shipper frustration with congestion and delays at competing ports, a growing number of large distribution centers near the port and its completed terminal improvements already increasing productivity.