Pennsylvania’s Intermodal Cargo Growth Incentive Program has been extended until July 2023 after the policy was expected to sunset this June. The program’s goal is to attract shippers to move more cargo through Pennsylvania ports in an effort to increase economic benefits, including truck driving opportunities.
“Pennsylvania’s ports are more vital than ever and are continuing to increase the volume of essential goods and strengthen the supply chain,” Gov. Tom Wolf reportedly said. “Increasing shipping activity will help ensure that goods are delivered to stores in a timely manner.”
Created in 2015 through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Multimodal Fund, the program makes up to $1 million in incentives available to support ocean carriers prioritizing the state’s ports. The taxpayer money helps secure full-time jobs at terminals and raise economic activity throughout the state. Carriers who enroll in the program receive $25 for each container unit loaded or offloaded at a Pennsylvania port. Those already enrolled in the program can qualify for incentives if they exceed certain thresholds.
“The Intermodal Cargo Growth Incentive Program is essential for us to compete with other ports in attracting new ocean carriers and new trade lanes to Pennsylvania. This program supports the ocean carrier during the difficult initial phase of entering a port for the first time, or starting a new service,” PhilaPort CEO and Executive Director Jeff Theobald reportedly said. “This is a well-designed program, and PennDOT has done a great job assisting us with implementing it.”
Since its inception, shippers moved more than 2.3 million cargo units through Pennsylvania ports and earned more than $5.2 million in incentives. The governor announced a $246 million investment into Port of Philadelphia modernization in February. That figure builds on a $300 million Capital Investment Program developed in 2016 that called for infrastructure, storage, and equipment improvements.
Although not ranked among the top 10 busiest U.S. ports, Pennsylvania served as a vital secondary resource during the height of the supply chain bottlenecks in 2021. The Port of Philadelphia responded by extending hours of operation and increasing container storage space. The incentive program and investment in the state’s ports are expected to increase trucking job opportunities throughout the region.
Sources: 6park.news.com, governor.pa.gov
Leave a Comment