May/June 2014
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The Port of Baltimore
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GOVERNOR’S
Message
E
nhancing Maryland’s economic competitiveness and
protecting the environment are not mutually exclusive
endeavors. The O’Malley-Brown Administration has worked
tirelessly to move Maryland forward by expanding and
strengthening economic opportunity for our middle class while
preserving our environment through projects that improve air and
water quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Maryland
Port Administration (MPA) recently received some great news on
three different initiatives that support our efforts to create jobs and
ensure that future generations will enjoy fresh water and clean air.
Thanks to the leadership of Team Maryland, the U.S. House
and Senate recently passed the Water Resources Reform and
Development Act. This law is key to keeping the Port’s channels
properly and safely dredged, which will allow us to accommodate
some of the largest vessels in the world and safeguard good-
paying, family-supporting jobs here in Maryland. Along with
supporting these jobs, this legislation strengthens Maryland’s
ongoing environmental protection efforts by continuing to fund
and expand our nationally recognized program to rebuild long-
eroded islands using dredged material and create wetlands that
serve as wildlife sanctuaries.
In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a
$750,000 grant for the Port of Baltimore’s Dray Truck Replacement
Program, extending the program through March 2016. With this
funding, owners and operators of short-haul dray trucks can
purchase newer, cleaner trucks that meet or exceed the latest EPA
emission certified engine standards. Dray trucks are large diesel
trucks that are used to haul freight from port facilities to nearby
local distribution points. The grant will help employees working at
the Port of Baltimore and residents in nearby local communities
breathe a little easier by replacing at least 22 older dray trucks.
Lastly, during a ceremony in May at the U.S. Department of
Commerce, the MPA received the Presidential “E Star” Award for
achieving a marked increase in exports over the last few years.
From Fiscal Year 2010 through Fiscal Year 2013, exports of general
cargo from the Port’s public marine terminals increased 22.6
percent. Increasing exports to other countries has helped the
Port maintain its position as one of Maryland’s leading economic
engines for thousands of good-paying, family-supporting jobs.
Thanks to the leadership of Maryland’s Congressional
Delegation and strong partnership with the private sector, the
Port of Baltimore epitomizes the connection between economic
expansion and environmental protection. This recent news will
further strengthen Maryland’s efforts to create jobs, expand
economic opportunity and protect our environment.
Martin O’Malley,
Governor
EXECUTIVE
View
Connecting Economic Expansion with Environmental Protection
Infrastructure Efforts Attracting the World’s Attention
O
ver the last few years, we have made some tremendous
infrastructure improvements at the Port of Baltimore that
have placed us in a very competitive position moving
forward. Under Governor O’Malley’s guidance, we began
a public-private partnership at Seagirt Marine Terminal with Ports
America Chesapeake that has resulted in this Port being one of
only two ports on the U.S. East Coast able to handle some of the
largest ships in the world.
The infrastructure improvements at Seagirt include a new
50-foot-deep container berth and four additional super-post-
Panamax cranes to complement the seven original cranes, for
11 cranes total. As the governor has said, companies around
the world are taking note of the investments we are making.
They are creating jobs here and bringing business through the
Port. These infrastructure investments have led to additional
distribution centers and company warehouses in this area,
creating opportunities for ship owners to access this region’s
large population with direct ship calls.
As detailed in this issue’s cover story, this area is fortunate
to have a very healthy amount of large-scale, high-employment
distribution centers. From Pier 1 imports to Costco and from IKEA
to REI, distribution centers are a vital cog in our supply chain. The
Port of Baltimore’s outstanding geographic location, being the
closest East Coast port to the Midwest, allows for the ability to
service two-thirds of our nation’s population within an overnight
drive. Distribution centers are also tremendous job generators,
often employing hundreds of people. They are hubs of frenetic
yet very organized activity. Trucks bringing cargo in and out are
commonplace.
Ports America Chesapeake and the MPA work very closely on a
regular basis on courting beneficial cargo owners and company’s
looking to construct distribution warehouses. The more distribution
facilities that are located near our port, the better the chance to
grow cargo and jobs. With some favorable built-in geographic
advantages coupled with recent infrastructure improvements at
the Port of Baltimore, this region will continue to be seen as very
attractive for new business.
James J. White,
Executive Director
Maryland Port Administration
