"Geographically, we are situated where we can serve nearly two-thirds of the North America population. We are one of the few port regions where further expansion is possible," he said. "The former Philadelphia Navy Yard has 700 acres; in South Jersey there is nearly an additional 250 acres available: while moving the Port of Wilmington into the Delaware River could give us an additional 350 acres."
All of this, he noted, is backed with three Class I railroads that are presently underutilized and a distribution system that is unmatched. "And, we have labor force that is able and willing and a shipping community that has pulled together."
Mr. Schulz spoke as he was honored with the Spirit of the Port award by the Seamen's Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey at an industry-wide luncheon attended by some 350 people. Mr. Schulz is President of the Ports of the Delaware River Marine Trade Association (PMTA), an organization of steamship agents, ship owners and direct employers that negotiates labor contracts in the Ports of Philadelphia, Camden and Wilmington, Delaware, with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA).
He is also co-founder of the Maritime Stakeholders Group (MSG), a group that represents labor, management and other affiliated maritime businesses that promotes the maritime interests in the Delaware River Region in preserving maritime land for maritime use instead of residential and other commercial uses.
"With world trade expecting to double in the next seven to 15 years, there is not enough maritime land available to meet the demands of the industry. Maritime lands are under attack from residential, commercial and recreational development," he said, while dedicating his award to the MSG.
"Our roads are overburdened with trucks and cause more air pollution than any other mode of transportation. The states have no money for new roads and hardly can keep up with the repairs of these roads and their bridges.
Rather," he added, "they are looking to privatizing roads. The cheapest way of moving goods is by water. Ports are going green further reducing air pollution. All of this is great news for us. Let us not abandon the River that has built this region," he said.
As he accepted his award, Mr. Schulz said: "I'm honored to receive this prestigious award especially since it places me in the class of former Spirit of the Port recipients."
Proceeds of the event go directly to fund services offered by SCI; a 165-year-old ministry that provides for the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of the more than 65,000 seafarers that call at the regional port annually.
"Uwe Schulz has shown commitment, leadership and a personal dedication to the growth and success of our port region for more than a third of a century," said the Reverend James Von Dreele, CEO and Executive Director of SCI Philadelphia. "Most recently, his role in the forefront of The Maritime Stakeholders Group in working to ensure the viability of a super-port for our waterfront region has brought remarkable attention to Philadelphia from interests around the world. This award is long overdue for Mr. Schulz."
An active member in the Philadelphia Maritime Community, Uwe has served as President of the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Maritime Society, Board of Directors of the Maritime Exchange, Seamen's Church Institute and Chilean/American Chamber of Commerce and as a Trustee of the PMTA-ILA Funds.
A seafarer himself, Schulz took the opportunity to follow his life journey from his Hamburg, Germany, birthplace to his education where he graduated with honors from the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler and joined Local 88 of the Master, Mates and Pilots. He served as a deck officer, inclu
