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Message from Charles G. Kopp, Esq. Chairman of the Board Philadelphia Regional Port Authority
As Chairman of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, I am proud to once again present to readers of the Philadelphia Public Record, the 2013 annual supplement in salute of the Port of Philadelphia. I am sure you will find the information here of great interest as we celebrate all of the exciting activity on the Delaware River waterfront as it relates to the maritime industry. As chronicled on these pages every week, the Port of Philadelphia is making history with the continued deepening of the Delaware River shipping channel. The breathtaking strides we have made in the last several years are the culmination of hard work and steadfast determination to
Charles G. Kopp, Esq. keep our Port competitive and ready for new business. We are deepening the 103mile shipping channel from 40-to-45 feet, and I am pleased to report that with the successful completion of what is referred to as “Reach D,” we now have finished about 60 percent of the project. This is an enormous accomplishment when you consider that just a few years ago, this project’s outcome was in doubt. Why are we doing this? Quite simply, shipping lines
are building larger vessels, and these ships need deeper water. Without it, the cargo and the jobs will vanish. That’s why we have fought this battle on every front, and we will not rest until the project is completed. There are many people to thank for their help and support, including government, business, labor and the local maritime operators. I am respectfully declining to list them only because there is a high risk of unintentionally omitting a good friend or colleague. But I would be remiss if I did not point out that in early 2011, when we were desperately seeking federal funds to continue the project, it was Gov. Tom Corbett who stepped up with $15 million to enable us to deepen a significant portion of “Reach B.” His decisive leadership at this critical juncture allowed us to continue the project.
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The Public Record • June 13, 2013
Kopp Lauds Governor’s Role In Port
Over 33 Year Practicing Maritime Law
Without those funds, who knows what would have happened. Gov. Corbett has been a supporter of this project since his days as Pennsylvania Attorney General. When he had the opportunity to back it up, he did so. Much the same can be said about our friends in the Pennsylva-
nia and Delaware Senate and Congressional delegations. In addition to this exciting project, we invite you to learn more about our sprawling terminals and busy piers, as well as our bustling auto processing center filled with brand new Hyundai and Kia vehicles. We are also “full
steam ahead” at the Southport Marine Terminal, where groundbreaking developments are imminent. All of this is being done to both preserve our legacy as America’s greatest port city, and to ensure a vibrant economy with family-sustaining jobs.
RAW SUGAR bags get a hefty lift off ship to one of PRPA’s docks. It’sone of many products coming to Philadelphia from around the world.