OUR OPINION: Philadelphia’s Amazing Port!

Few Philadelphians, other than the thousands who make decent, family-sustaining living wages working there, know how beneficial to all of us is this Port of ours founded over three centuries ago by William Penn.

Because its terminals almost daily welcome ships bearing fruits in the dead of winter, we get first dibs through the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority’s Wholesale Fruit & Produce Terminal. We get it fresher and cheaper than if we lived outside of the Philadelphia Metropolitan area. Then in the middle of January, February and March, who is the shopper that wonders and asks themselves, “It’s freezing and snowy and icy outside; how come I can buy plums, peaches and bananas obviously fresh cut from the stalks and still green?” Much of this produce comes from Chile and Costa Rica.

Steel, lumber, wood pulp and scores of other products find their way to our terminals from around the world. In addition, exports leave in bulk by our efficient Terminal Operators. This results in creation of Port-related jobs.

Overlooking and caring through hands on operations of the Port’s capital facilities is the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, to whom we dedicate much of this week’s issue. When multi-million-dollar expenditures are needed to keep the Port competitive with the Ports of New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Baltimore, the PRPA is entrusted with all the detail work needed to get as much public funding as possible.

The Commonwealth’s Governors, past and present, understand a vibrant, growing Port needs to keep up with competition or lose its edge as shippers turn to other ports when they are told, “No can do’” by those working this Port.

Much credit goes to those responsible: Jerry Sweeney, chairman; James T. McDermott, Jr., executive director; Robert C. Blackburn, senior deputy executive director; John Dempsey, deputy executive director; Sean Mahoney, director of marketing; Edward Henderson, director of finance; Nicholas Walsh, director of strategic planning; Joseph P. Menta, Jr., director of communications; Joseph Petruzzi, director of MIS; Kate Bailey, director of procurement; James Walsh, director of operations; and other directors; and Gregory Iannarelli, chief counsel.

The attitude this Port exudes is one of willingness and eagerness to accommodate all shippers. The Port is blessed with its terminal operators who make shippers, and others using their facilities not only welcome, but knowing turnaround time and reducing expenses are in the interest of all.

The key component needed is a competent and energetic labor force. Making sure they are trained, share a good work ethic, ands know down deep in their guts a busy port pays them well, are the Longshoreman and the Teamsters. We especially acknowledge the dedication to the Port of Local 1291 and its leadership crew headed by Boise Butler … also a member of the PRPA Board.

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