Page 20 - Port of Baltimore Jan/Feb 2011
Basic HTML Version
PORT REPORT
2010
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The Port of Baltimore
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January/February 2011
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EXECUTIVE VIEW
T
he Port of Baltimore
heads into 2011
on a high note as
we continue to
rebound following
one of the most challenging
economic periods in our
country’s history. Despite these
difficult conditions, the Port
of Baltimore achieved many
significant accomplishments
in 2010 in cargo, cruise and the
environment.
Certainly our most significant
accomplishment in the past year
was the official signing of the
50-year lease and concession
agreement with Ports America
Chesapeake to operate the
Seagirt Marine Terminal. As
Governor O’Malley has stated,
this is all about jobs, jobs, jobs.
This unique contract will create
5,700 new jobs, provide Maryland
with $140 million for road, tunnel
and bridge improvements, and
generate nearly $16 million
annually in taxes.
One of the key elements of
this deal was constructing a
50-foot container berth in time
for the completion of the Panama
Canal expansion in 2014. Ports
America Chesapeake broke
ground in March and the current
construction schedule will have
the berth finished in 2012. At
that point, Baltimore will become
only the second East Coast port
to have both a 50-foot container
berth and channel. As a result,
we will be able to welcome larger
ships that will bring more cargo to
Maryland and, more importantly,
grow jobs and maintain the Port’s
standing as one of this state’s key
economic generators.
In addition, this year saw
record amounts of autos and
containers make their way to our
docks. BMW began a five-year
commitment with Mercedes-
Benz that will produce 50,000
additional BMW automobiles here
annually. That additional business
is generating 200 new jobs. Ford
upped its Baltimore presence by
bringing in 17,000 Fiestas. On
the RO/RO side, Ceres Terminals
signed a new lease for RO/RO
cargo at Dundalk Marine Terminal.
Cruising from Maryland
continued to grow in 2010, with
a record 91 cruises and more
passengers than ever before.
Ninety percent of our cruises
sailed at full capacity. Royal
Caribbean brought a newer and
larger ship to Baltimore, and
joined Carnival in offering year-
round service. Our excellent
geographic location in one of the
most populous and wealthiest
markets in the U.S., as well
as our cruise terminal’s easily
accessible drive-to location off
Interstate 95, have been fully
embraced by the cruise industry.
Last year, the Port’s cruise
business helped pump $90
million into Maryland’s economy
and create about 500 jobs.
On many different levels,
the Port continued to reduce
its carbon footprint and evolve
environmentally in 2010. The Port
Administration’s Environmental
Management System made
progress at our public terminals
in the areas of recycling, air
emission reduction, water
quality and spill prevention.
The Masonville containment
site began accepting dredged
material, while its overall
restoration project was awarded
a national environmental award.
We also worked closely with
our private terminals and the
Baltimore Port Alliance to ensure
environmental progress is
achieved throughout all marine
terminals.
The Port was also selected
in partnership with two other
U.S. ports for further study in
the America’s Marine Highway
program. The goal of this program
is to identify water transportation
routes for domestic cargo that
is currently being transited over
the nation’s highways. This could
ease highway traffic congestion,
reduce air emissions and even
create jobs at our terminals.
Entering 2011, the key issue
remains the economic recovery.
The last two years have required
new and unique ways to conduct
business. Be assured as we move
forward that we will continue to
progress along that track, seek
out good opportunities to create
new jobs, and remain committed
to responsible environmental
management.
James J. White
Executive Director
