Best of all, the Terminal’s robust growth has created more than 200 additional jobs at Packer, and that number is expected to grow as new lines begin calling in the weeks ahead.
“Our goal is to increase the amount of container business that calls on Philadelphia, because that means opportunity and jobs for our region,” said Thomas J. Holt Jr., President of Astro Holdings, Inc., which leases PAMT under a long-term concession with the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority. “The arrival of the Black Pearl Line signals to the world that the Port of Philadelphia is growing, and with the deepening of the Delaware River, we believe that the Port’s best years lie ahead of us.”
The Black Pearl Line, which commenced at PAMT on January 28th and is now fully operational, now links on northbound routes from San Antonio and Arica in Chile; Callao in Peru; Guayaquil in Ecuador; and also Manzanillo, Panama; Kingston, Jamaica; and Miami via CMA CGM Black Pearl Service. Three ships carrying refrigerated cargoes already have called at PAMT, and bigger ships are anticipated in the coming weeks.
And of course, the new Maersk Spondylus service makes its expected debut at PAMT next week, generating more cargo and economic opportunity at the Port.
"The arrival of the Black Pearl Line marks an important step in the ongoing transformation at Packer,” said Holt. “We live in an increasingly globalized world, so strengthening our connections to South America is likely to continue providing dividends for the port community, especially as we build a strong niche working with refrigerated cargoes.”
