Philadelphia

Size limits

LOA 396m, beam 53.6m, draught 11.7m, 187,625DWT.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

Summer Zone for vessels over LOA 100m and Winter Seasonal Area for vessels of LOA 100m or less, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 1.9m (Springs), 1.5m (Neaps).

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The port is approached via the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. The Delaware River has an 86nm channel which in 2010 began dredging from 12.2m to a depth of 13.7m with a min width of 244m. The Schuylkill River is dredged to a depth of 10.0m with a min width of 91m up to the first bascule bridge.

The port can also be approached from the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, project depth of 11m.

Port limits

The limits are the navigable part of the Delaware River and Schuylkill River bordering the municipality extending 20nm up river of the Delaware.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is a Traffic Separation Scheme in place in the approaches to Delaware Bay. This comprises of two one-way lanes: The East TSS approach and the SE TSS approach and a two-way route.

Both areas are monitored 24 hours.

Vessel Reporting System (VRS)

Participation:

The following vessels are asked to participate in the Delaware River and Bay VRS:

(a) All powered vessels of LOA 40m or more

(b) All vessels of LOA 8m or more whilst towing

(c) All vessels certified to carry 50 passengers or more for hire, whilst working, except when doing so on a published schedule

(d) All dredgers or floating plant employed in the vicinity of the main channels or anchorages if likely to affect the navigation of other vessels. Unmanned or intermittently manned floating plant being under the control of a dredger

Procedure:

Participating vessels within the VRS area should monitor VHF Ch 14 at all times and respond promptly when hailed

Vessels operating in the vicinity of the main channels or sea lanes within the VRS area, but not participating in the VRS, are asked to:

(a) Monitor VHF Ch 13 and respond promptly when called

(b) Contact Delaware Maritime Exchange when required, to obtain details of large vessels operating within the area

(c) Not impede the navigation of large vessels using the sea lanes, channels and anchorages

Reporting:

VRS participants are required to report the following information to Delaware Maritime Exchange:

1. Sailing plan (check in) to be submitted before entering or getting under way within the VRS and should include:

(a) Vessel's name

(b) Location

(c) Destination, including any intended additional callings and and/or anchorages

(d) Tow configuration (number of laden/unladen barges)

(e) Nature of cargo

2. Sailing Plan Deviation to be submitted in the event of any change to intended destination.

3. Position report including name of vessel and position when passing the following Reporting Points:

(a) Off Harbor or Refuge Lt station (in-bound only)

(b) Marcus Hook Range

(c) Mifflin Range

(d) Any other location which may be directed by Delaware Maritime Exchange

(4) Final report (check out)

Check in and check out points:

Delaware Maritime Exchange area:

(a) Brown Shoal Lt Bn (38°55.35'N 75°06.05'W) when passing from Pilot Traffic Tower to Delaware Maritime Exchange systems

(b) Biddle Point (39°33.26'N 75°37.06'W) navigating Eastbound on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal

(c) Reedy Point (39°33.65'N 75°33.89'W) navigating Westbound at the entrance to the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal

Pilot Traffic Tower area:

(a) Inbound at McCrie Shoal Gong Lt Buoy 2MS (38°50.60'N 74°50.28'W)

(b) Inbound on entering the Five Fathom sea lane

(c) Inbound on entering the Delaware sea lane

Anchorage Intentions and Reports:

All vessels intending to anchor anywhere within the Delaware Bay or River are required to notify Delaware Maritime Exchange prior to arrival at the intended anchorage, including the anchorage position, ETA and reason for anchoring.

Vessels are further required to notify Delaware Maritime Exchange of any changes to anchorage intentions, including changes to ETA.

Vessels reporting anchorage intentions will be notified by Delaware Maritime Exchange of:

(a) Any other vessels in the anchorages along with their ETD

(b) Any other vessels en-route the anchorage

(c) Current limitations affecting the intended anchorage

(d) Any other potential conflicts with the intention to anchor

All vessels anchored with in the Delaware Bay and River area are required to:

(a) Continuously monitor VHF Ch 14 and 16

(b) Report to Delaware Maritime Exchange, any change to vessel's intended ETD from the anchorage

(c) Ensure that the vessel's AIS transponder is switched on, fully operational and transmitting correctly while underway and at anchor.

Vessels leaving an anchorage are required to submit a Sailing Plan to Delaware Maritime Exchange

Final Report:

Participants are required to submit a report with name of vessel and position as follows:

(a) On arriving at destination within the VRS

(b) On departing from the VRS area

All communications must be made in English.

Anchorages

Note: Anchorage No 14: Vessels with a draught of less than 6.1m must anchor SW of Pier No 11 at Port Richmond. The restricted anchorage, off the oil refinery wharf on the N side of the E end of Petty Island, is reserved for vessels using that wharf.

Big Stone Anchorage - Centred at 38°56.521'N 75°10.252'W, lightering vessels discharge oil, chemicals or hazardous cargoes to deep-draught tanker vessels to allow passage up the restricted depth channel of the Delaware River. An "Informal" Anchorage/Lightering Area exists centred at 38°38.430'N 74°48.150'W for vessels awaiting entry to Big Stone Anchorage but can also perform lightering operations similarly.

Restrictions

The PORTS program for calculating max draught is in use at the port.

Vertical clearances: Walt Whitman fixed suspension bridge with a vertical clearance of 46m at the centre and 42m at the sides, spans the river at Greenwich Point, 0.7nm NNE of Greenwich Coal Pier.

Benjamin Franklin fixed suspension bridge, with a vertical clearance of 41m at the centre and 39m at the sides, spans the river 2.3nm N of Greenwich Point.

Conrail Lift Bridge, with a vertical clearance of 15m when closed and 41m when open, spans Delaware River close SW of Fisher Point.

North Atlantic right whales: From1st November to 30th April a Seasonal Management Area is established at the entrance to Delaware Bay. A maximum speed restriction of 10kts is imposed in this vicinity during this period to reduce the danger of ship strikes on North Atlantic right whales.

Big Stone Anchorage - Bunkering operations are not permitted in severe weather conditions when winds are 35kts and over.

Charts and publications

BA 2604; NOAA 12312, 12314. Admiralty Pilot NP69, NP286(5).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Big Stone Anchorage - Port Captain requires at least 4hrs notice in advance for all vessels planning to use the lightering area.

Communications

Cape Henlopen Reporting Station 1800-0600hrs. Philadelphia Reporting Station 0600-1800hrs.

Vessels should maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 14, 16 (LPG/LPN) vessels should maintain a listening watch on Ch 13, 16) when transiting Delaware Bay and River.

Documents

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Health

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Quarantine: The federal quarantine station for Delaware River ports, is situated at Marcus Hook (39°49.0'N 075°25.0'W). Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regulations of United States Health Service. Unless otherwise directed, vessels subject to inspection by quarantine, customs, immigrations and agricultural quarantine officials, are normally boarded by the relevant officials on arrival at their berths.

Customs and immigration

For crew not to be detained onboard vessel, each crew member must have a valid US visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Notices and regulations

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.

Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.

Repairs

All types of repairs can be carried out.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkers: Fuel available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Four hospitals all within 5km of the port.

Transport

Nearest airport: Philadelphia International Airport, 5km.

Airport facilities: Over 35 airlines serve the Philadelphia area with passenger and air cargo services.

Nearest railway: Conrail, CSXT and Canadian Pacific links port to the rest of US.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Situated on the Atlantic Seaboard, Philadelphia is located on the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers.

The port

Philadelphia is one of the "Ports of Philadelphia" within the Delaware River Port Area, which include Gloucester City, Camden (see separate entry), Port Richmond, Bristol and Burlington. The area is centred in an area of heavy population providing a large consumer market. The port has been designated as a Strategic Military Port handling the nation's military cargoes.

Other ports in the region are Chester, Wilmington, Salem, Delaware City, Marcus Hook, Paulsboro and Pennsauken, which all have separate entries.

Traffic

Approx 28,000,000t of cargo, 889,000TEU and 1,700 vessels are handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Philadelphia?

Compulsory and available 24 hours.

What time zone is Philadelphia in?

Local time at Philadelphia is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Philadelphia?

The deepest berth listed is at Packer Avenue Marine Terminal: 11.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Philadelphia?

1000.

Which load line zone is Philadelphia in?

Summer Zone for vessels over LOA 100m and Winter Seasonal Area for vessels of LOA 100m or less, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Philadelphia?

Port State Control at Philadelphia: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Philadelphia?

The UN/LOCODE of Philadelphia is USPHL.

What crews who called at Philadelphia say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

Read and add tips for Philadelphia →