en.Wedoany.com Reported - Early construction has begun on the container terminal expansion project at the Port of Wilmington, Delaware, after state lawmakers approved an additional $110 million to close a funding gap in the project's first phase, which has a $669 million budget.

Governor Matt Meyer (Democrat) signed the state's fiscal year 2027 capital budget on June 29, approving the additional funding. This followed the approval of a revised financing plan by the board of the Diamond State Port Corp. (DSPC). According to board documents, the budget increase stems from inflation, changes in the scope of terminal electrification, and rising tariff-related costs. Demolition work has already begun at the Edge Moor site, preparing for larger-scale construction later this summer. DSPC stated that Phase 1 commenced on June 1 and is scheduled to continue through 2028, when ship-to-shore cranes will be delivered and operations will begin.

The additional funding supports a scope expansion far beyond the terminal itself. The equipment package includes converting four existing ship-to-shore cranes and two rubber-tired gantry cranes from diesel to electric power, installing nine new electric rubber-tired gantry cranes, 110 electric terminal tractors, 15 electric top handlers, and 54 DC fast chargers. The project aims to quadruple the port's container throughput capacity, accommodate larger vessels, meet international cargo demand, while freeing up capacity at the existing Port of Wilmington for military cargo, agricultural goods, and potential offshore wind farm projects. According to the May 2025 DSPC board meeting minutes, Enstructure informed the board that, after completing the bidding process, it had signed an engineering, procurement, and construction contract with the Walsh Group & Soletanche Bachy Joint Venture, tasking the JV with the project's progressive design-build. Project documents reviewed by the Engineering News-Record (ENR) show that Jacobs serves as the engineering consultant for electrical infrastructure planning and estimation, Paul Bridges is the specialized consultant for crane electrification, and Kone, Orange EV/TICO, and Taylor Machine Works are listed as proposed suppliers for major electric cargo handling equipment. Under a long-term concession agreement, Enstructure's subsidiary, Port Wilmington, is responsible for procuring equipment and construction contractors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clean ports grant application notes that this arrangement will leverage Enstructure's national network of terminal operations experts.

The project cleared a major regulatory hurdle in April. At that time, following an earlier lawsuit, the Department of the Army required additional navigation and safety analyses before issuing the terminal construction and dredging permit. DSPC Chair Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez stated that this marked a decisive turning point for the expansion, mentioning that Jacobs Engineering Group had been hired to provide additional independent analysis on the project. Representatives from Diamond State Port Corporation, Enstructure, Walsh Group, and Soletanche Bachy did not immediately respond to requests for further details regarding the project's construction team and current construction activities.