Southport Marine Terminal Development

Options analysis to optimize 116-acre site for various maritime cargoes

Proposed state-of-the-art container terminal equipment and operations

Innovative public-private-partnership (P3) contracting strategy

Challenges

The development of the Southport Marine Terminal was a transformative project that would reinstate Philadelphia as a major shipping hub in the northeast region of the United States, providing sustainable jobs, reducing regional traffic, and stimulating the local economy.
The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) enlisted Hatch (as part of a joint venture) to provide technical advisory services, including due diligence, port planning, economic analysis, and preliminary design.
The objective was to support the P3 development of the Southport Marine Terminal Complex, an industrial and commercial maritime facility located in southeastern Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As part of a team of technical and financial experts, Hatch analyzed multiple development scenarios for the 116-acre land parcel. We provided a detailed assessment of the container, auto, bulk, and energy commodity markets and infrastructure requirements.
A market study and options analysis report (MSOAR) was developed, which outlined terminal development alternatives and related cost estimates; technical recommendations regarding cargo types, terminal layout, land use, and intermodal connectivity; and due diligence assistance, procurement, and concept-level technical design for the marine and upland infrastructure components.
Preliminary design documents and specifications were developed for inclusion in the overall procurement package. Technical assessments of the submitted concessionaire proposals were performed.
Hatch assisted PRPA with developing marketing and stakeholder outreach strategies, balancing the needs of the various stakeholder groups with the overall project vision.

Coordinated by Hatch, the multidisciplinary, international project team successfully delivered the MSOAR, RFQ, and RFP documents on time and within budget.
More than ten alternatives were evaluated during the market study using a weighted scoring system we developed to assess terminal options. These were based on PRPA goals, including job creation, capital cost, revenue, risk management, and environmental stewardship.
Sustainability initiatives, developed by PRPA as part of its five-year plan, were incorporated into all aspects of procurement and design.