# Edgemoor Port Project The Edgemoor Port Project is a $635 million initiative to expand the Port of Wilmington by constructing a new container terminal at Edgemoor, Delaware, on a former DuPont/Chemours industrial site acquired in 2017 by the Diamond State Port Corporation (DSPC). The project, branded as “Port Delaware,” aims to quadruple the port’s container cargo capacity, accommodate larger ships, and position Delaware as a competitive player in maritime trade along the Delaware River. It is a public-private partnership between the State of Delaware and Enstructure, the port’s private operator, with the state contributing $195 million (31%) and Enstructure covering $335 million (53%), supplemented by federal grants, including $50 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program. - https://news.delaware.gov/2024/05/08/delaware-to-join-public-private-partnership-to-build-new-port/ - https://www.delawareonline.com/story/money/business/2024/05/08/edgemoor-port-terminal-delaware-port-wilmington-expansion-195-million-pledged/73614201007/ - https://delawarebusinesstimes.com/news/edgemoor-port-fed-grant/ ## Economic Impact and Job Creation The project is purportedly projected to create nearly 6,000 jobs, including 3,100 direct jobs and 3,900 construction jobs, generating $39.4 million in annual state and local tax revenues. Once fully operational, “Port Delaware” (combining the existing Port of Wilmington and Edgemoor terminal) is expected to support 11,480 jobs and $76.2 million in tax revenues, making it one of Delaware’s largest employment hubs. Longshoremen at the current port earn an average of $98,000 annually, with many exceeding $100,000, emphasizing the project’s role in sustaining high-paying, blue-collar jobs. - https://news.delaware.gov/2024/05/08/delaware-to-join-public-private-partnership-to-build-new-port/ - https://www.delawarebusinessnow.com/news/construction/state-enstructure-announce-635-million-edgemoor-port-project/article_ee23b78c-f8d3-5e04-bb37-79845e434f4f.html - https://theproducenews.com/delaware-ports/new-port-coming-delaware ## Project Details and Timeline The terminal will be built in three phases, with the first phase (32 months) focusing on waterside construction, including dredging and building a seawall and high deck. Landside terminal construction will follow, with Enstructure handling phases two and three as business demands. The project is touted as a “green port,” emphasizing electrification and energy efficiency to minimize environmental impact. - https://news.delaware.gov/2024/05/08/delaware-to-join-public-private-partnership-to-build-new-port/ - https://www.delawarepublic.org/politics-government/2024-05-08/delaware-new-edgemoor-port-terminal - https://www.delawareonline.com/story/money/business/2024/05/08/edgemoor-port-terminal-delaware-port-wilmington-expansion-195-million-pledged/73614201007/) ## Challenges and Controversies ### Legal Setbacks The project has faced significant hurdles from competing ports, particularly the Port of Philadelphia, which argues that Edgemoor’s operations would create a marine bottleneck, obstructing upriver traffic and undermining Philadelphia’s $140 million investment in a Delaware River deepening project. In October 2024, U.S. District Judge Mark Kearney revoked key federal permits, ruling that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” by not requiring a “Statement of No Objection” from Philadelphia and failing to adequately assess safety and navigation concerns. A state permit for underwater work was also placed in limbo by Delaware Superior Court Judge Kathleen Miller in April 2025, citing insufficient evidence review by the Delaware Environmental Appeals Board. - https://spotlightdelaware.org/2025/04/21/edgemoor-port-project-hits-another-legal-snag/https://spotlightdelaware.org/2024/10/30/edgemoor-port-permit-loss/ - https://whyy.org/articles/edgemoor-port-expansion-project-setback-delaware-pennsylvania-district-judge/ ### Environmental Concerns Local residents and the Delaware Community Benefits Agreement Coalition have raised issues about air and water pollution, increased truck traffic, and noise. Dredging risks disturbing contaminated riverbed soil containing dioxins, mercury, and PCBs, though some sediment will be encapsulated on land to mitigate pollution. - https://baytobaynews.com/stories/cartier-lets-look-closer-at-edgemoor-port-expansion%2C214422 - https://www.delawarepublic.org/politics-government/2024-07-04/edgemoor-and-surrounding-areas-raise-environmental-health-concerns-from-port-of-wilmington-expansion ### Transparency and Funding Issues A state audit, announced in February 2025 by Auditor Lydia York, is investigating the transfer of $200 million in taxpayer funds to DSPC just before Governor Matt Meyer’s inauguration, raising concerns about transparency and oversight. The project’s funding gap of $355 million in private capital remains a concern, especially after the previous operator, Gulftainer, failed to secure similar investments. - https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2025/02/11/delaware-auditor-investigate-expedited-funding-edgemoor-port-wilmington/78413719007/ - https://spotlightdelaware.org/2025/02/07/delaware-port-audit/ - https://baytobaynews.com/stories/cartier-lets-look-closer-at-edgemoor-port-expansion%2C214422 ### Political Disputes The project has been embroiled in a power struggle between Governor Matt Meyer and Democratic lawmakers over DSPC board appointments, with Meyer attempting to rescind nominations made by former Governor Bethany Hall-Long. This dispute has reached the Delaware Supreme Court. - https://spotlightdelaware.org/2025/04/21/edgemoor-port-project-hits-another-legal-snag - https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2025/02/11/delaware-auditor-investigate-expedited-funding-edgemoor-port-wilmington/78413719007/ ### Union and Automation Concerns Labor unions, particularly the International Longshoremen’s Association, oppose automation at the port, insisting on worker oversight to protect jobs. Enstructure’s plans regarding automation remain unclear, with parts of their agreement redacted. - https://spotlightdelaware.org/2024/10/08/edgemoor-automation/ ## Current Status - May 2025 The project’s timeline is uncertain following the permit revocations. Delaware and Enstructure attempted to intervene in the federal lawsuit but were denied by Judge Kearney in November 2024. The state is working with the Army Corps to address permit deficiencies, but opposition from upriver ports and local concerns continue to pose challenges. Community engagement efforts, including planned meetings and a community advisory board, aim to address transparency issues, but public meetings have been sparse since 2019. - https://www.delawareonline.com/story/money/business/2024/11/15/delaware-wants-to-appeal-ruling-that-blocked-port-expansion-permits-edgemoor-terminal/76265556007/ - https://whyy.org/articles/edgemoor-port-expansion-project-setback-delaware-pennsylvania-district-judge/ - https://baytobaynews.com/stories/cartier-lets-look-closer-at-edgemoor-port-expansion%2C214422 ## Why It Matters The Port of Wilmington is a critical source of well-paying, blue-collar jobs in Delaware, and the Edgemoor expansion is seen as vital for economic growth. However, its success hinges on resolving legal, environmental, and financial challenges while balancing community concerns and regional competition. - https://spotlightdelaware.org/2024/10/30/edgemoor-port-permit-loss/ - https://spotlightdelaware.org/2025/02/07/delaware-port-audit/ For further details, you can explore updates at spotlightdelaware.org or news.delaware.gov. - https://spotlightdelaware.org/2025/04/21/edgemoor-port-project-hits-another-legal-snag/ - https://news.delaware.gov/2024/05/08/delaware-to-join-public-private-partnership-to-build-new-port/