New terminal planned in New Jersey
The South Jersey Port Corp. (SJPC) Wednesday authorized $135 million in bonds to develop a terminal at Paulsboro, N.J., six miles south of Camden on the Delaware River.
SJPC, an agency of the State of New Jersey that owns, operates and manages the ports of Camden and Salem, hopes the full build-out of Port Paulsboro will comprise berths for six ships, including roll-on/roll-off and lift-on/lift-off capabilities and at least one container crane.
SJCP said it will seek permitting for all six berths, but will only initially build two berths and then add additional berths as business grows.
“There is no room to grow in Camden so we’re expanding into Paulsboro and that’s good business, good economics and good policy,” said Joseph Balzano, SJPC executive director.
Last year, the port of Camden set its second consecutive cargo record, handling 3.43 million tons of cargo.
The 190-acre port “brownfield” site will be subdivided into a marine terminal and associated warehousing and upland facilities. The marine terminal will comprise a modern wharf and fender system that ranges from development of approximately 1,500 feet to a potential full-build length of approximately 3,500 feet.
Initial plans call for up to 2 million square-feet of warehouse, commercial and processing buildings.
Once all the necessary agreements, contracts and permits are attained it is estimated that it will take between 24 to 36 months for the port to be built and ready to start operations.
Port planners anticipate the initial state investment will attract upwards to $250 million in additional private investment in the Port Paulsboro as the port builds out to full size.
The State of South Jersey has committed $16 million to build an overpass across the Mantua Creek to provide direct access from the proposed marine terminal to I-295, a quarter mile away.