A Philadelphia federal judge supported Penn Warehousing’s eviction order against the SS United States, a 73-year-old vessel that has been docked at its pier for three decades.
According to the court’s decision last Monday, the vessel can only stay at the South Philadelphia pier along the Delaware River until September 12. If the ship remains at the dock beyond mid-September, Penn Warehousing warned that it is ready to impose a $3 million penalty due to lost business and profits.
| “You’re not entitled to be at the pier forever,” the Philadelphia Inquirer quoted Judge Anita Brody. She followed up her statement with a threat to hand over the vessel to the pier’s owners. |
Launched in 1952, SS United States is known for breaking the transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner during its maiden voyage, a record it still holds today. It was retired from service in 1969.
Norwegian Cruise Line and Crystal Cruises became interested in reviving the 1,984-passenger ship but eventually changed their minds due to the costs involved.
The SS United States Conservancy began managing the vessel in 2011. Members of the conservancy want to turn the ship into a tourist attraction by converting it into a floating hotel, restaurant, museum, and bar, but their plans are contingent on finding a permanent place for it.
One of the conservancy’s biggest challenges is relocating the 1,000-foot, 47,000-ton vessel, which can no longer move using its propulsion systems. Meanwhile, dockage fees have continued to mount at a rate of $1,700 a day. Even if the judge waived $730,000 in overdue rental payments, moving it would take considerable planning and tens of millions of dollars.
Proposals for the ship include sinking it and turning it into an artificial reef in Florida, but the task would cost $10 million. On the other hand, the conservancy’s idea of transforming it into a mixed-use commercial establishment would require over $40 million.
The Conservancy has yet to issue a statement regarding the ruling.
