William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

Image of the proposed container terminal in Edgewood, Delaware.

JEER—Affiliates of Gloucester City-based Holt Logistics Corp. filed a lawsuit last month seeking to block project approvals granted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Delaware’s proposed container terminal in Edgemoor, a working-class community along the Delaware River just northeast of Wilmington. In 2024, Philadelphia port interests successfully persuaded a federal judge to invalidate a Corps permit authorizing the same project. Critics contend that the latest lawsuit is intended primarily to prevent the emergence of a new competitor.

RELATED: THE HOLT FILES: From a 1981 Wetlands Violation to Today’s Battle Over a $1 Lease

 

CHEER— Delaware’s taxpayer-owned Diamond State Port Corporation requested new approvals, which the Army Corps granted in April. Massachusetts-based Enstructure has announced it is moving forward with the $669 million Edgemoor container terminal project, located on the site of a former DuPont chemical plant. The development is expected to create thousands of construction, warehouse, and longshore jobs for the region.

JEER— Earlier this year, Holt Marine Terminal successfully blocked a South Korean shipbuilding company from establishing operations at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal. The Paulsboro Marine Terminal is owned by the South Jersey Port Corporation (SJPC), a state entity, and operated by Holt Logistics Corp. through its subsidiaries, Gloucester Terminals LLC and Paulsboro Waterfront Development LLC. The influence the Holt family wields in the shipping industry is undeniable. To many outside observers, that level of power raises serious concerns.

CHEER— According to a 2025 economic impact study by the Shipping Association of New York and New Jersey, the port industry supported nearly 580,000 jobs in 2024, generated approximately $18.1 billion in tax revenue, and accounted for $57.8 billion in personal income and $163.7 billion in business income throughout the region. It would be interesting to see whether an independent organization conducting a similar study would reach the same conclusions.

JEER— Why was the Holt Dynasty placed in charge of the Paulsboro facility? In hindsight, that decision appears misguided. The family has accumulated enormous influence and wealth throughout the region’s port industry. Based on recent events, it seems the Holt Family is intent on controlling port operations along the Delaware River, from Wilmington, Delaware, to the Packer Avenue and Gloucester City terminals.

Critics argue that such dominance stifles competition and free enterprise.

Consider what has happened along the Gloucester City waterfront and in the neighborhoods bordering the massive terminal. Increased noise, pollution, declining property values, and the deterioration of quality of life on the city’s west side are consequences many residents attribute to giving the Holt organization broad authority with limited oversight.

RELATED: AI Review of Holt Marine Terminal and its Effect on Gloucester City’s Waterfront

CHEER— It was exciting to see a family of deer last week at Johnson Boulevard Jogging Park. The journey those animals must have made to reach that location without being struck by a car or truck is remarkable. Credit goes to Mother Nature’s resilience and adaptability. (CNBNews photo credit)

JEER— A Barnegat woman accused of operating a boat while intoxicated during a Memorial Day crash that killed her son has been released pending trial. The 59-year-old faces charges including second-degree death by vessel, operating a vessel under the influence, and reckless operation of a vessel stemming from the May 25 incident.

Above architect drawings of the townhouses. Terraces are at the front of the buildings on the fourth floor. Photo Credit: Developer’s plans submitted to the Camden Planning Board

CHEER-George Norcross III, along with his partners, has proposed to build 78 high-end townhouses near the Camden City waterfront. TAP INTO CAMDEN reported that the group is scheduled to go before the City’s planning board next month. Eighteen of the townhouses are projected to sell for about $500,000. possibly mixed-use residential/commercial project could be the development of the former Riverfront State Prison site on the north side of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

JEER-In November the Holt Logistics and Cresmont Limited Partnership filed another civil action against the City of Gloucester and the Gloucester City Planning Board. The Holt and Cresmont lawsuit is an attempt to stop the construction of two large multi-use buildings at the former US Coast Guard property on King Street. The Coast Guard abandoned the property in 1986 and moved into a new base on the Philadelphia side of the river.  According to a rumor, Holt is against the development because the buildings would block his office view of the river. 

Mark Matthews, editor of the 42 Freeway blog,  and former Cleary’s Notebook News reporter, remarked that Holt Logistics, wanted to revoke the redevelopment designation of the property in an effort to invalidate the project’s approvals. This would be their third complaint regarding the Redevelopment Plan.

The Gloucester City project, known as Meridia on the Pier, is proposed for 101 South King Street. The development would transform approximately 4.5 acres of undeveloped waterfront land—extending into the Freedom Pier area—with two large mixed-use buildings.

RELATED: THE HOLT FILES: PART TWO

CHEER—Peggy Grow, a Seeing Eye Trustee, Puppy Raiser, volunteer, and Heritage Society member, has raised 15 puppies with her husband, Steve, since starting as a volunteer in 2003. She also volunteers at the Chester Campus, where the next generation of Seeing Eye puppies are born, and she assists with Town Walks, where puppy raisers can watch the puppy they raised work with an instructor in harness. She stated, “I love being part of an organization that strongly advocates for the rights of people who are blind. The staff is deeply dedicated to this mission, which allows volunteers to feel supported in all ways. It is an honor to be a part of a community that is always teaching, creating, and sharing. If you would like more information about planning a legacy gift to support The Seeing Eye’s future work, you can visit legacy.seeingeye.org or contact Lauren Knolmayer at lknolmayer@seeingeye.org.”