New record in Philadelphia
The CMA CGM ‘Marco Polo’ is the largest vessel ever to visit the port of Philadelphia in its 300-year history. The vessel, 396 m long and with a capacity to carry 16,020 teu, is deployed in CMA CGM’s Namex service and connects China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Morocco with the east coast of the USA.
Its cargo, including oranges from Morocco, will be discharged at the port of Philadelphia’s Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. This call underlines the port’s ability to handle very large container vessels and its role as a gateway for Southeast Asian cargo destined for the USA and eastern Canada.
Philadelphia Port, with the largest reefer handling and storage facilities in the USA, is experiencing growth due to recent heavy investment in infrastructure by the Harrisburg government and the federal administration.
The arrival of CMA CGM’s ‘Marco Polo’ marks a new era for the port. Jeff Theobald, PhilaPort’s executive director and CEO, described the call as a result of years of preparation for this newer class of vessels. (pb)
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