Rodney Frelinghuysen: “I rise in opposition to Mr. Andrews' Amendment. The Delaware River Main Channel Deepening project is designed to keep…”

“I rise in opposition to Mr. Andrews' Amendment. The Delaware River Main Channel Deepening project is designed to keep the Delaware River Ports competitive with other east coast ports, all of which have dredged or are planning to dredge their channels deeper than 40 feet. Major Shipping lines have informed the ports that their next generation ships will require deeper channels. Unless these ports can go to 45 feet they will be at a competitive disadvantage with their sister ports for the expected growth of international trade. In addition to the competitive advantage this project will provide the region, it provides much needed jobs. Over 75,000 jobs are attributable to the port industry in the Delaware Valley. Moreover, the Delaware River Port has been designated as a military strategic port. The Port of Philadelphia has been selected as a Strategic Seaport for the Northeast Corridor of the United States. Philadelphia's selection means the Department of Defense will incorporate the use of the city's port facilities in its planning for the movement of military cargoes in the event of major contingency operations. Selection of the Pennsylvania port was made jointly by the U.S. Maritime Administration, U.S. Army Forces Command, and the Military Traffic Management Command after an assessment of many Northeast Corridor ports. Philadelphia becomes the country's 14th commercial Strategic Seaport.”