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Author: Sandi Kelly

  • Port Team Steps Up for Habitat for Humanity

    Port Team Steps Up for Habitat for Humanity

    South Jersey Ports employees spent two impactful days volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of South-Central New Jersey in our host city, Camden. Staff members contributed to an ongoing home renovation that will eventually welcome a future family. Twelve employees took on major structural work, including framing the basement, repairing floors and joists, installing new subfloors, clearing debris, and supporting additional site needs.

    Habitat for Humanity of South-Central New Jersey’s mission is to build strength, stability, and self‑reliance through shelter. Their work creates long‑term opportunities for families and strengthens neighborhoods across the region. Supporting this mission is an important part of our commitment to the communities we serve.

    What stood out most was how our crews approached the project. They are not afraid of hard work, and they brought the same speed, skill, and efficiency to volunteer days that they bring to the job every day. Their dedication reflects the spirit of service that defines South Jersey Ports.

    Executive Director and CEO Dave Mayer shared his appreciation for the team’s efforts: “I am proud of our employees not only for the work they do day in and day out, but for all they give back to our community. Their commitment to our community and to helping families build a stronger future speaks volumes about who they are as people.

    With the full renovation expected to continue over the coming months, we look forward to returning for future build days that support Habitat’s mission and help create a safe, beautiful home for a family in our community.

  • Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Visits South Jersey Ports for Regional Roundtable

    Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Visits South Jersey Ports for Regional Roundtable

    South Jersey Ports recently welcomed Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Anna Paulson and senior members of her leadership team for a roundtable discussion focused on the region’s logistics, transportation, and supply chain landscape. The visit was part of the Philadelphia Fed’s broader effort to gather direct, on‑the‑ground insight from employers whose operations reflect real‑time economic conditions in the Third District, which covers eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Delaware.

    As one of twelve regional Reserve Banks, the Philadelphia Fed monitors business activity, labor trends, pricing pressures, and the overall health of the regional economy. Conversations like this roundtable help leadership understand how industries are experiencing shifts in demand, workforce availability, transportation costs, and supply chain stability. These insights support ongoing research and help inform the economic picture that ultimately shapes national policy discussions.

    The roundtable brought together partners from Delaware River Stevedores, Conrail, and Camden Yard Steel, who shared perspectives on workforce needs, shifting market pressures, and the cost environment affecting port operations. President Paulson emphasized the value of hearing directly from industry leaders whose day‑to‑day challenges reflect broader economic trends.

    Following the discussion, South Jersey Ports staff led President Paulson and her team on a tour of the Joseph A. Balzano Marine Terminal, where they visited a docked vessel and saw firsthand the coordination, scale, and daily activity that drive cargo movement along the Delaware River. The visit underscored the essential role South Jersey’s maritime sector plays in supporting regional jobs, strengthening supply chains, and contributing to long‑term economic growth.

  • South Jersey Ports Secures $3.88M Rail Grant to Complete Balzano Terminal Modernization

    South Jersey Ports Secures $3.88M Rail Grant to Complete Balzano Terminal Modernization

    South Jersey Ports has been awarded $3,888,747.90 through the Rail Freight Assistance Program to advance Phase 4 of the rail‑modernization project at the Joseph A. Balzano Marine Terminal. This final phase will replace 1,920 linear feet of outdated 115‑lb rail with modern 136‑lb rail and steel ties, completing a multi‑year effort to upgrade the terminal’s internal rail network for safer, more reliable, and more efficient freight movement.

    The project includes 1,220 linear feet of embedded track along Berths 3 and 4 Extension and 700 linear feet at the Clinton Street entrance, along with installation of a modern tangential switch, spur bumper, pavement restoration, and drainage improvements. Once complete, the rail system at Balzano will be fully modernized and aligned with current industry standards.

    This award supports South Jersey Ports’ broader rail‑expansion strategy, which includes multiple RFAP grants and ongoing infrastructure upgrades designed to strengthen multimodal freight capacity, improve operational efficiency, and support long‑term growth across the port system.

    “This grant brings us to the finish line of a major rail‑modernization effort,” said Dave Mayer, Executive Director & CEO of South Jersey Ports. “Completing Phase 4 ensures our rail infrastructure meets modern demands and positions the port for continued growth, improved safety, and greater efficiency for our customers.”

    Phase 4 marks a significant milestone in South Jersey Ports’ commitment to upgrading critical infrastructure and enhancing the region’s freight‑movement capabilities.

  • Supporting Seafarers During Mental Health Awareness Month

    Supporting Seafarers During Mental Health Awareness Month

    South Jersey Ports and the Seamen’s Church Institute of Philadelphia & South Jersey partnered throughout the month of May to support seafarers during Mental Health Awareness Month, bringing resources, connection, and care directly to crews working across port terminals. Life at sea can be demanding, and the isolation of long voyages often makes it difficult for mariners to access support when they need it most. Dave Mayer, Executive Director & CEO of South Jersey Ports, noted, “Crews work in demanding environments that are far from home and regular support systems and that can be stressful.” Partnering with SCI allowed us to bring meaningful resources directly to the individuals who keep our supply chain moving to ensure their health and wellbeing.

    Throughout the month, teams from both organizations visited vessels to distribute mental health information brochures, share lunch with crews, and talk openly about the importance of checking in with one another. The visits also highlighted the wide range of confidential support services available both locally and internationally, including chaplain visits, 24/7 helplines, and live chat assistance for mariners around the world.

    Mariner wellness has long been overlooked in occupational and public health research, creating significant gaps in understanding the physical and mental health challenges facing crews. To help fill that void, Seamen’s Church Institute partnered with researchers at Yale University to conduct one of the most comprehensive assessments of mariner wellbeing to date. Their findings underscored the urgency of this work: according to SCI’s U.S. Inland Mariner Wellness Assessment, more than 75% of crisis responses in 2025 handled by Ministry on the River chaplains were tied to physical or mental health concerns, while only 23% were related to accidents. Mariners reported challenges including extreme fatigue, anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicidal thoughts, highlighting a growing wellness crisis across the industry.

    Reflecting on this need, Helen Pierson, Executive Director of Seamen’s Church Institute, emphasized the importance of meeting mariners where they are. “Mariners face unique pressures that can take a real toll on mental health. By working alongside port partners, we’re able to offer compassionate support and remind crews that help is always within reach.”

    May’s ship visits were supported by port employees, Local 18 leadership, and SCI staff, whose collective efforts ensured that crews not only received information but also felt seen, supported, and valued. As the resource flyer shared during the visits reminded us, “Strong crews look out for each other.” Reaching out early—whether to a peer, a chaplain, or a trained professional—remains one of the most effective ways to protect wellbeing.

  • South Jersey Ports Unveils New Website and Modernized Brand Identity Focused on Customer‑Driven Service

    South Jersey Ports Unveils New Website and Modernized Brand Identity Focused on Customer‑Driven Service

    South Jersey Ports recently announced the launch of its redesigned website as part of a wider rebranding initiative that reflects the organization’s modern capabilities, customer‑focused services, and growing role in the global supply chain.

    The new website available at www.southjerseyports.com,  replaces an older platform with a streamlined, intuitive, and mobile‑friendly design that makes it easier for customers, partners, and community members to access information about terminal operations, cargo capabilities, sustainability initiatives, and economic impact. The redesign is part of a broader brand modernization effort that includes updated visuals, refreshed messaging, and focus on the organization’s slogan: “Cargo Handling Your Way.”

    “Cargo Handling Your Way” underscores South Jersey Ports’ long‑standing commitment to providing flexible, customized logistics solutions for a wide range of industries. From bulk and breakbulk to project cargo, the organization’s terminals in Camden, Paulsboro, and Salem are built around responsive service, hands‑on expertise, and the ability to adapt to the unique needs of each customer.

    Our brand identity reflects who we are today; a modern, customer‑driven port system with deep roots in the region and a clear vision for the future,” said Brendan Dugan, Deputy Executive Director & CCO.   “The redesigned website showcases our capabilities, our people, and our commitment to delivering tailored solutions that keep cargo moving efficiently and reliably.”

    The new website highlights:

    • A modernized look and user‑friendly navigation
    • Clear information on cargo services, terminal capabilities, and operational strengths
    • Enhanced visibility into South Jersey Ports’ sustainability initiatives, including major investments in electrification, rail expansion, and emissions reduction
    • Updated economic impact data, demonstrating the organization’s role in supporting jobs and regional growth
    • Improved access for customers, including contact pathways, service details, and real‑time organizational updates

    The rebrand also aligns with South Jersey Ports’ ongoing modernization efforts, including equipment upgrades, expanded rail capacity, and a multi‑year sustainability strategy aimed at reducing emissions and improving air quality for surrounding communities.

    “South Jersey Ports has been a trusted partner in the supply chain for a century,” said Dave Mayer, the ports’ Executive Director and CEO “This rebrand honors that history while positioning us for the next generation of growth, innovation, and customer service.”