Port of Philadelphia

With its approximately one dozen maritime facilities, which regularly handle cargoes such as containers, steel, fruit, frozen meat, paper rolls, special heavy lift projects, and passengers, the Port of Philadelphia is a major economic generator for Philadelphia and the surrounding region. The Port features both newly built waterfront facilities and well maintained piers built in the early years of this century. These latter piers feature some extraordinary facades and architecture. There are also a few old, out of service piers that may be of interest to filmmakers looking for an especially gritty location. All Port of Philadelphia facilities are located on the Delaware River along an approximately three mile stretch within the City of Philadelphia limits.

The organization responsible for the management, maintenance, expansion, and promotion of the Port of Philadelphia is the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA). Film companies interested in investigating the possibility of shooting scenes at Port of Philadelphia facilities can contact Joe Menta at PRPA’s Communications Department directly (at 215 928 9100) or through the Film Office.

PRPA can also assist those interested in utilizing New Jersey Port facilities, as well as terminals located in surrounding Pennsylvania counties, by getting interested parties in touch with the operators of those facilities.

DELAWARE RIVER PORT AUTHORITY
The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) is responsible for the marketing and advertising of the port area. They also own and operate four bridges and the toll booths and the Port Authority Transit Company.

The Walt Whitman Bridge, The Benjamin Franklin Bridge, The Betsy Ross Bridge and The Commodore Barry Bridge are all owned and operated by the DRPA. Requests for filming at any of these facilities will be reviewed by the Authority individually.

As a general guideline, the pedestrian walkway on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge is available to film makers. (DRPA can provide a jeep for the movement of your equipment along those areas.) The use of towers on any of the bridges is prohibited.

A toll booth may be available for filming during non rush hours on the Franklin and Whitman Bridges and virtually anytime on the Ross and Barry Bridges.

The Port Authority Transit Company (PATCO) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the DRPA and operates between Philadelphia and Lindenwold, New Jersey. The cars cross the Delaware River on tracks mounted outboard of the roadway on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Movement of the car may be restricted during rush hours. PATCO has four stations in Philadelphia and eight stations in New Jersey, which are available for filming.