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Port of Wilmington, DE Inaugurates New Berth The Honorable Ruth Ann Minner, Governor of the State of Delaware, will cut the ribbon and officially inaugurate the Port of Wilmington’s new $27.5 million Auto and Ro-Ro (Roll-on Roll-off) berth at an 11:00 AM ceremony on Thursday, September 12, 2002. This new berth will enable the Port of Wilmington to capture new auto and rolling stock cargo and to better serve Volkswagen of America, General Motors, Volkswagen Transport and HUAL North America, its current long term automobile importers, exporters and shipping lines. The Port of Wilmington handles in excess of 120,000 import and export vehicles per year. |
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| The deep water Auto & Ro-Ro berth is 875 feet long and 115 feet wide. It is constructed 900 feet offshore on the northern Port boundary and parallel to the river’s north-south shoreline. The Port of Wilmington’s first facility on the Delaware River is served by a dedicated three-lane, fenced and lighted roadway that links the Auto & Ro-Ro berth with a 10-acre |
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First-Point-of-Rest staging vehicle area, and with the vehicle storage and preparation facilities of Volkswagen and Auto Port Inc. This new berth and roadway complex will significantly improve the efficient and damage-free handling of high value automobiles that move through the port. The pier, trestle causeway and roadway project was finished ahead of schedule and below budget. Nason Construction, a Delaware firm, was the construction manager for this project and over 75% of the contract value was awarded to Delaware firms. "I congratulate the Port on this wonderful new berth," Gov. Minner said. "This significant improvement to the Port's infrastructure will enable Wilmington and the State of Delaware to compete more effectively in the global marketplace, create good jobs and contribute to the economic growth and prosperity of our state and our citizens." “Our new Auto & Ro-Ro berth, the dedicated roadway and the additional vehicle storage capability are a long awaited addition to our facilities, and will significantly improve our attractiveness as a mid-Atlantic auto and ro-ro hub. In addition to better serving our existing customers, this three-fold increase in auto throughput capacity will enable our Port to attract new customers with more cargo and create additional jobs for our hard working port community”, said Nathan Hayward III, secretary of the Department of Transportation and chairman of the Diamond State Port Corporation. Founded
in 1923, the Port
of Wilmington is an important asset for the local and
regional economy, generating over 4,900 jobs and contributing over $16
million in annual tax revenues to State and local government. The
Port is owned and operated by the Diamond State Port Corporation, a
corporation of the State of Delaware. For further information,
digital photos, free tours of the Port and free speakers contact: Vered
Nohi-Becker, Marketing Services Manager at the Port of Wilmington
@
(302) 472-7819, e-mail: vnbecker@port.state.de.us
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