On July 16, South Jersey Ports welcomed 24 high school students participating in the National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) summer camp, hosted by Rowan University’s CREATES Program (Center for Research & Education in Advanced Transportation Engineering Systems).

Funded through a partnership with the New Jersey Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration, the two-week program offers students hands-on exposure to the transportation industry—completely free of charge, including on-campus housing and meals.

The group toured Camden Marine Terminals and learned about port operations, marine terminal logistics, and career opportunities in the maritime sector. They also had the unique opportunity to witness active cargo operations, including the Lowlands Angel discharging over 17,000 metric tons of steel at the Balzano Terminal and the PM Hayabusa unloading furnace slag at the Broadway Terminal.

Throughout the program this summer, students get to tour locations and traffic systems not normally accessible to the general public; meet with professional engineers; engage in engineering lab activities to better understand the transportation industry; and engage in social activities and recreation. Some of the planned visits include sites like asphalt plants, DRPA bridges, and the Atlantic City Airport, all experiences designed to inspire the next generation of engineers and transportation professionals.

South Jersey Ports is proud to support educational programs like NSTI and to introduce young people to the vital role maritime commerce plays in our regional economy.