Page 24 - Port of Baltimore Magazine Oct/Sept 2013
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The Port of Baltimore
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September/October 2013
an ability to transport goods.”
According to U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen
(Dist. 8), the federal government plays a
critical role in supporting the National
Export Initiative, which includes “the
crafting and implementation of international
trade policies that promote the export of
American-made goods and services, enforce
international agreements, investigate unfair
trade practices to protect U.S. companies both
here and abroad, and adviseU.S. companies on
the beneficial provisions of trade agreements.”
While encouraged that “we are nearly
halfway there” toward the Initiative’s goal
of doubling exports by 2015, U.S. Rep.
Steny Hoyer (Dist. 5) would like to move
the process along with the adoption of his
“Make It In America” plan.
“This plan includes a range of bills that
would make it easier for manufacturers
to access domestic and international
markets by investing in infrastructure,
enforcing trade laws and providing
targeted assistance to help businesses
compete successfully in global markets,”
Congressman Hoyer said. “I’m hopeful
that the House will take up Make It In
America legislation this Congress so
we can meet the President’s goal and
help businesses access and move their
products to new markets.”
PANAMA CANAL EXPANSION
Ð
During his Ellicott Dredges trip, President
Obama reiterated the importance of
investing in American shipping channels
and ports so that the country will be ready
for the new business from the expanded
Panama Canal.
“The Panama Canal is being revamped
… so that it can accommodate even bigger
ships,” said President Obama, “and these
cargo ships are so big that if we don’t
remodel our ports here in the United States,
they can’t dock at our ports. They’ll dock
someplace else. We’ll lose that business.”
Thanks to the public-private partnership
between the Maryland Port Administration
(MPA) and Ports America, Maryland’s
congressional delegation is confident that
improvements recently made at the Seagirt
Marine Terminal have put Baltimore in a
great position to pick up that business.
“Many of us have worked with five
governors to deepen our channels, to make
sure these super ships could come to the
Port,” Senator Mikulski said. “We have this
harbor that is open to the world, and we’re
going to make sure it stays open. …We are
ready to rock and roll, and to roll on and to
roll off. We are ready!”
“Currently, two East Coast ports,
including the Port of Baltimore, have the
50-foot-deep channel and 50-foot-deep
berth needed to accommodate large
‘mega-ships,’” Congressman Hoyer said.
“I believe we must continue making the
investments needed to accommodate this
new business. Maryland’s commitment
to the expansion of the Port of Baltimore,
especially the public-private partnership
that led to the new 50-foot-depth berth
and supersized container cranes, ought to
serve as a model for other states.”
“Led by Senator Mikulski and Senator
Cardin, Team Maryland works hard every
day to improve Maryland’s Transportation
network from fighting for funds to keep
our shipping channels open to investing in
critical highway and transit projects,” said
Maryland Transportation Secretary James
T. Smith, Jr. “All of these projects work
together to create jobs and spur economic
development throughout the State.”
ÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐÐ
Left, U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes speaking at Masonville Cove.
Above, Sen. Ben Cardin (at far left) during a cruise-related event.
COURTESY OF MPA
BLAISE WILLIG
