The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is encouraging ocean carriers moving containerized cargo to apply to the Pennsylvania Intermodal Cargo Growth Incentive Program (PICGIP).
The program incentivizes shippers to move cargo through Pennsylvania ports by providing participating ocean carriers up to $1 million annually. The program’s goal is to help ocean carriers moving containerized cargo to compete with other east-coast ports by attracting new ocean carriers and trade lanes to Pennsylvania. Originally expected to expire in June, the program has been 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.”
Existing program participants qualify for an incentive payment by exceeding established benchmarks while new carriers receive $25 per new container unit loaded or discharged. Ocean carriers adding a new service line from Southeast or Far East Asia earn $25 per container unit.
Applications are accepted online between Jan. 1 and April 30 and July 1 and Oct. 31.