Schulz: Delaware River ports should grow

Schulz: Delaware River ports should grow Uwe Schulz, president of the Ports of the Delaware River Marine Trade Association (PMTA), urged businesses in the Philadelphia area to turn the region into “a world-class port and revitalize it with family-sustaining jobs.”
   “Geographically, we are situated where we can serve nearly two-thirds of the North America population. We are one of the few port regions where further expansion is possible,” he said. “The former Philadelphia Navy Yard has 700 acres; in South Jersey there is nearly an additional 250 acres available; while moving the Port of Wilmington into the Delaware River could give us an additional 350 acres.”
   Schultz made his remarks as he received the “Spirit of the Port Award” from the Seamen’s Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey at an industry-wide luncheon.
   As head of the PMTA, Schulz represents the organization of steamship agents, ship owners and direct employers that negotiates labor contracts in the Philadelphia, Camden and Wilmington with the International Longshoremen’s Association.
   “With world trade expecting to double in the next seven to 15 years, there is not enough maritime land available to meet the demands of the industry. Maritime lands are under attack from residential, commercial and recreational development,” he said.
   “Our roads are overburdened with trucks and cause more air pollution than any other mode of transportation. The states have no money for new roads and hardly can keep up with the repairs of these roads and their bridges,' he said.
   “The cheapest way of moving goods is by water. Ports are going green further reducing air pollution. All of this is great news for us. Let us not abandon the river that has built this region.”