the port of salem is a shallow-draft port in the vicinity of the salem river cut-off on the salem river in salem, new jersey in the united states about east of the delaware river and about from the atlantic ocean. it was re-designated a port of entry in 1984 and became a foreign trade zone (ftz) in 1987. transloading operations include the handling of a variety of bulk cargo, notably of construction aggregate, break bulk cargo, and containers for clothing, fishing apparel, agricultural produce, and other consumer goods, and has at times involved lighterage. it is operated under the auspices of the south jersey port corporation.