Philadelphia port sees 10% rise in cargo

   The Port of Philadelphia said it handled 4,418,674 metric tons of cargo last year, 10.4 percent more than in 2011.
   “While the national and world economy still challenges our efforts in many ways, our most recent annual cargo statistics again demonstrate that the Port of Philadelphia is on the right track,” said James T. McDermott Jr., the port authority’s executive director. “Our 2012 cargo figures not only represent the third year in a row where we’ve seen double-digit growth, but it also means that since 2009 we’ve experienced a more than 30 percent increase in tonnage. 
   “And that’s not only a solid indicator that the economy is improving, but especially great news for the thousands of jobs generated by port activity for our region, and the numerous other economic benefits the Port of Philadelphia provides,” he added.
   The port in 2012 handled:

• 197,854 tons of steel, 21 percent more than in 2011.
• 47,457 tons of project cargo, also a 21 percent increase.
• 24,331 tons of sugar, a new cargo at the port.
• 143,258 cars, 10 percent more than in 2011. (The port has been handling Hyundai and Kia cars from South Korea since 2010.)
• 1.2 million metric tons of liquid bulk cargo, 66 percent more than in 2011. (Liquid bulk product moves through a terminal operated by Kinder Morgan.)
• 2 million metric tons of containerized cargo. (The port said Hamburg Süd showed a 46 percent gain, handling 108,379 TEUs.) – Chris Dupin