The iconic ocean liner SS United States — once the fastest passenger ship in the world — has been ordered to leave Pier 82 in South Philadelphia by September 12, 2024, according to a staff report from The Maritime Executive.

This has left the nonprofit that owns the ship scrambling to secure a new location for the ship and cover the costs of moving the huge vessel. Coincidentally, the decision to have the SS United States vacate its current home was made 25 years to the day after the ship was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its “compelling national significance.”

SS United States Conservancy has been facing off in court against Penn Warehousing, operator of the Philadelphia pier that has served as the ship’s home for the past 28 years, over its doubling of dockage fees.

While District Court Senior Judge Anita Brody ruled that the landlord could not arbitrarily double dockage fees without providing notice, she also ordered the vessel to leave the dock.

“While the Conservancy was vindicated in not being compelled to pay a large sum of back rent to the SS United States’ pier operator, the ruling makes clear this iconic American symbol is in peril,” said Conservancy President Susan Gibbs.

Read more about the SS United States and its current dilemma in The Maritime Executive.

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