“This is a massive feat and a testament to all the hard work from many different companies, organizations and government authorities,” said Holt. “The deep channel will allow bigger ships, more lifts, and create additional jobs in the Port of Philadelphia.” “We were able to attract new business to a brand new near dock 200,000-square-foot warehouse,” said Holt. “That warehouse is already at capacity, but a 12,000-pallet position expansion will come online in November 2024.”
Other developments included a general increase in productivity and communication with customers, with a focus on customer service in Philadelphia.
“We implemented new infrastructure improvements, including equipment upgrades, adopting appointment times, electrification of older cranes from diesel, demolishing older buildings to increase traffic flows enabling us to handle more containers,” he said.
In addition, Holt Logistics Corp. successfully implemented a customer excellence team that focuses on providing customers with exceptional experiences by understanding and anticipating their needs, consistently delivering value across all interactions and facilities. The company also implemented a rebranding, which Holt said was the first refresh of the company’s identity in 20 years.
“We implemented a new logo, new website, new marketing materials and presentations,” he said. “We are extremely excited and proud of our new identity.”
Holt said that while the achievements of 2023 are notable, the goals for 2024 are largely centered on continuous growth and further improvements of customer service.
“The competitive advantage in Philadelphia is that if the customer has an issue, there is a single touch point for answers and solutions by an informed representative that will revert and solve the problem in a timely manner,” said Holt.
For 2024, Holt said the companies are focused on several initiatives. Aside from the aforementioned deepening of the channel, plans include:
- Investing in and introducing hydrogen forklifts into the warehousing operations.
- Attracting and developing talent through a focused approach by keeping employees engaged and giving them opportunities to learn and grow within the company.
- Growing rail business in Philadelphia by working with Greenwich Terminals LLC, which is the fastest delivery to rail on imports and exports on the East Coast, with the capacity to triple the current number of rail moves. Holt plans to rely on excellent working relationships with CSX, Conrail and Norfolk Southern to help achieve this goal.
- Grow its port footprint in South Philadelphia and South Jersey to create more laydown space for containers and autos.
- Increase technology and user-friendly applications and statistics by offering additional value-added services for customers, including appointment times, geofence app-based check-in for terminals to have more visibility and load trucks faster, allowing them to spend more time driving and less time loading.
- Break ground on new warehousing space that will add 165,000 square feet near dock refrigerated and frozen capacity, which is projected to open in 2026. This will include more than 20,000 pallet positions for new products wanting to call Philadelphia and divert from more congested ports.
- Attract a direct Asian string into Philadelphia, which is known worldwide as a gateway for perishables, but also has ample capacity for dry and frozen products coming from Asia.
Holt said that the family’s companies, along with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, have invested more than $250 million in Packer Avenue Marine Terminal with the goal of increasing volumes, jobs and bringing economic activity to Philadelphia and South Jersey.
“The five Super Post Panamax cranes coupled with the berth renewal and strengthening, along with electrification of the berth allows PAMT to handle up to 18,000 TEU vessels,” he said. “In March, PAMT welcomed the largest vessel ever to call the Delaware River – the CMA-CGM Marco Polo, with 16,020 TEU capacity.”
Additionally, he said more than 250,000 square feet of Class A dry warehousing space has been added in South Philadelphia near dock to attract importers to the region and a 44,000-square-foot food grade on-dock inspection site will double productivity and allow products to reach the market more quickly. “The building has contributed to the seamless transition from ship to store, guaranteeing product quality and compliance with regulations, enhancing customer satisfaction and supply chain efficiency,” said Holt.
“Infrastructure renewal and reinvestment back into the company and our employees is always a top priority,” said Holt. “The focus has been on sustainability and implementing sustainable practices throughout our organization.”
Some of the ways the Holt companies achieve sustainability include berth renewal and terminal paving to keep up with the ever-growing container ships and handle more ship calls and TEUs, which help keep its labor force and community busy throughout the year.
Holt also said that the companies continue to maintain Riverside Renewable’s 33,000 solar panel rooftop array in Gloucester City, NJ, which generates more than 12 megawatts per year.
The companies continue to invest in and renovate current warehouses as well as develop new square footage in close proximity to the port, including converting all lighting to LED. Investments in racking to increase the ability to handle more pallet positions in a smaller footprint are underway and expected to be completed in the next two years.
Equipment also plays a key role in the sustainability efforts, according to Holt, who said the companies will invest in two or three more mobile harbor cranes to handle diversified products.
“We believe it’s important to continue to diversify to keep skilled labor engaged and penetrate many markets,” he said.
Other equipment upgrades that will boost sustainability include:
- Addition of 75 hydrogen forklifts and the conversion of the existing forklift fleet from diesel/propane to battery/electric.
- Utilizing electro-perm magnets to increase productivity and reduce waste.
- Electrifying two diesel post Panamax cranes at PAMT, bringing to nine the total number of electric cranes.
Holt said his team extends their condolences to all affected by the maritime accident that occurred in Baltimore when the container ship Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March. He said the Holt family and their companies have supported the trade and government entities throughout the difficult situation and participated in weekly conversations with the U.S. Coast Guard and Delaware River pilots to offer assistance and discuss current traffic patterns and emergency response protocol. “After the tragedy, the ports of Philadelphia saw a slight increase in container lifts and experienced about 100 new trucks in and out per day at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal,” he said.
“Philly didn’t see many new ‘bottoms,’ but had the capacity available if needed.
PAMT and Philadelphia ports were and are prepared to help the industry in any way possible and continued to operate in normal business flows,” he added.
“With the focus on productivity, efficiency and operating safely.”
