Carriers transporting cargo in containers encouraged to apply to Intermodal Cargo Growth Incentive Program.
Containerized cargo has grown at PA ports, securing jobs at port terminals and increasing economic activity.
Harrisburg, PA – With Pennsylvania’s ports connecting the Commonwealth to the world, supporting tens of thousands of jobs, and spurring economic growth, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is encouraging ocean carriers moving containerized cargo to apply to the Pennsylvania Intermodal Cargo Growth Incentive Program (PICGIP). The program was slated to end in June 2025 and is being extended until July 2027.
“Pennsylvania’s ports are critical to our transportation network and to our economy, and growth at the ports means growth in the Commonwealth,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “The Shapiro Administration is committed to remaining as strong partners with the shipping industry in contrast to national actions that are introducing instability in the global supply chain and impacting Pennsylvania’s jobs and markets.”
The PICGIP is a tool to compete with other east-coast ports in attracting new ocean carriers and new trade lanes to Pennsylvania by incentivizing shippers to move cargo through Pennsylvania ports. The program provides up to $1 million annually to participating ocean carriers that move containerized cargo through Pennsylvania's ports.
The program incentive is available for new service at a Pennsylvania port as well as existing carriers. New carriers enrolled in the program receive $25 per new container unit loaded or discharged from vessels to a Pennsylvania port. Existing participants qualify for the incentive payment by exceeding established benchmarks, which helps retain business with an opportunity for rewarding growth.
In 2024 alone, PhilaPort handled over 840,000 containers and PSA Penn Terminals handled 357,000 containers. Since the program was established in 2015 through PennDOT's Multimodal Fund, participants have sent over 3 million units of cargo through Pennsylvania ports, resulting in over $7 million in incentive funds awarded to nine ocean carriers.
The program also includes incentives for ocean carriers adding a new service line from Southeast or Far East Asia. Such a carrier would, for two fiscal years, earn $25 per container unit loaded or discharged if the container hails from Southeast and Far East Asia. Instead of the usual incentive cap of $250,000 per fiscal year for standard carriers, Asian Carriers will qualify for an increased cap of $500,000 per fiscal year. The aim of this inclusion is to bolster the appeal of Pennsylvania ports in the global supply chain.
An online application is available for interested participants. The application periods are January 1- April 30 and July 1- October 31. For more information and to view the PICGIP application and guidelines, visit PennDOT's website.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Campbell, alecampbel@pa.gov, or Erin Waters-Trasatt, ewaterstra@pa.gov or 717-783-8800
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