The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA), an independent agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (USA), has received 16 proposals for the Southport Marine Terminal Complex P3 project.

In early October PRPA submitted the request for expressions of interest (RFEOI) for the project. The deadline was 14 November. 

The companies that have submitted proposals are the following:

• Global Auto Processing Services;
• Atlantic Realty;
• Katoen Natie Group;
• Liberty Property Trust;
• MarkWest Energy Partners;
• OHL Infrastructure Inc.;
• Philadelphia Energy Solutions;
• Walsh Construction;
• Anthony Bruttaniti, representing the Philadelphia Global Trade Center LLC;
• Holt Logistics Corp.;
• Liberty Energy Trust;
• LNG America;
• Navigator Gas LLC;
• Penn City INvestments & Affiliated Companies;
• T. Parker Host, and
• WesPac Midstream LLC.

The project involves the design, build, finance, operation and maintenance of the three available sites located at the Southport Marine Terminal Complex located in the City of Philadelphia, along the Delaware River, south of the Walt Whitman Bridge. The 3 sites located at the Southport Marine Terminal Complex are:

• The Southport Marine Terminal site consists of approximately 119 acres and is currently permitted for construction and operation as a container terminal. PRPA will consider any and all uses for one or more of the Southport sites or any portion.

• The Southport West Terminal site is a parcel of land consisting of approximately 75 acres and is available for development. It is available for development such as a distribution center, manufacturing site, cross-docking facility, or automobile logistics center.

• Pier 124 is a 1,132-foot long by 167-foot wide finger pier. Piers 122 and 124 are being refurbished into multi-purpose bulk facilities, able to handle grains, fertilizers, wood products and other bulk cargos. Pier 124 North is available for development as part of the scope of the project.

The project area has several accesses. The Southport sites are located on the Delaware River, which contains a federal navigation channel. A newly built four lane road connects the Southport sites to Interstates I-76 and I-95. Norfolk Southern, CSX Transportation, and Conrail maintain rail service are adjacent to the site.

Charles G. Koop, the port authority's chairman, had earlier stated:

"Unlike most other U.S. ports, which face major limitations when seeking additional land to grow, the Port of Philadelphia has hundreds of acres of prime space along the Delaware River to expand our operations. Our hope is that the current Southport initiative will bring about a partnership between PRPA and one or more private firms to fulfill our potential for expansion and economic growth."