Cruise Ship Faces Eviction from Philadelphia Dock

The iconic ocean liner SS United States will officially be evicted from its current dockside home at Pier 82 in Philadelphia. It must vacate the pier by September 12, 2024.

A US District Court decision ruled in favor of the conservancy nonprofit managing the ship after a years-long rent dispute with pier owner Penn Warehousing.

Classic Ocean Liner Must Vacate the Dock this Summer

While it doesn’t have to pay back unilateral rent increases imposed a couple of years ago, the 72-year-old classic ocean liner must quickly find a new home. Expecting the ruling, the conservancy has been reaching out to suitable facilities on the east coast but hasn’t yet secured a permanent berth.

“While the Conservancy was vindicated, the ruling makes clear this iconic American symbol is in peril,” said Conservancy President Susan Gibbs. She is the granddaughter of the ship’s famous designer, William Francis Gibbs. “The judge’s decision gives us a very limited window to find a new home for the SS United States and raise the resources necessary to move the ship and keep her safe.”

The ship launched in 1952 and, on its maiden voyage, broke the transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner, a record that still stands today. The 53,000 gross ton ship measures nearly 1,000 feet in length. Finding a home and funding for its relocation has proved difficult.

“Relocating a ship the size of the SS United States is complex and costly. It requires funds for insurance, tugs, surveys, and dock preparations,” Gibbs said. Ironically, the court’s decision to confirm its eviction from Philadelphia occurred 25 years after the ship was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Plans to Transform Ship

Last year, the Conservancy said it was collaborating with a real estate developer and a hotel management company to turn the ship into a static maritime attraction that houses a floating hotel, bar, restaurant, and museum. Gibbs said these plans remain, but the Conservancy cannot move forward until a new permanent home is secured.

The ship’s hull remains in good shape for its age, but the interiors were stripped of fixtures years ago. The Conversancy plans an awareness campaign and funding to pay for a relocation.

Since retiring from commercial cruising in 1969, the ship has had several owners, including Norwegian Cruise Lines.