Yesterday morning the M/V GLOVIS Comet commenced cargo operations at Pier 122. The arrival of the vessel from South Korea with its cargo of 2,176 Hyundai and Kia automobiles marks the first vessel to call the pier in twenty years, and gives the Port of Philadelphia a second berth for importing and exporting automobiles and ro-ro cargoes.

The arrival of this vessel is the culmination of many steps taken by the port, its customers and tenants. Pier 122 was purchased by PhilaPort from Conrail in 2007. Development of a vessel berth directly adjacent to the VPC (vehicle processing center) was a high priority for PhilaPort.

Prior to 2010, the Port of Philadelphia was not known to handle finished vehicles. Since that time volumes have grown significantly. It is anticipated that the port will handle over 200,000 cars in 2017.

“The arrival of the first vessel at Pier 122 is a result of our plan and investment for the port in Philadelphia to expand operations, grow jobs and provide even greater benefit for Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “With its major economic impacts throughout the state, my administration understands the value of Pennsylvania’s port asset in Philadelphia and will continue to ensure the benefits of this investment and expansion continue to provide dividends to the region and entire commonwealth.”

In November, Wolf announced that Pennsylvania would invest $300 million in port infrastructure designed to more than double container capacity, creating a total of approximately 17,020 jobs and further establish PhilaPort as a multi-product, full service Port including expansion of finished vehicle cargoes.

“The second berth for roll-on roll -off cargo is critical to Hyundai GLOVIS for many reasons,” stated Glenn Clift, President and CEO of Hyundai GLOVIS in the United States. “It allows for two vessels to call at the Port of Philadelphia at the same time. More importantly, it allows for us to attract US export auto business and other third party businesses like machinery and farm equipment.”

Hyundai GLOVIS will be receiving its one millionth vehicle into PhilaPort next month. “This is a true transformation story,” stated Jeff Theobald, CEO of PhilaPort.

“The added continuous land, berth, and rail capacity will bring long term efficiency gains to our customers”, said Scott Cornell, Vice President – Ocean Carrier at Hyundai GLOVIS. “GLOVIS is now initiating the plans to match customers’ imports and exports from a shared port call.”