Port of Baltimore on Right Track (USA)

Governor Martin O’Malley announced that 853,818 tons of general cargo were handled at the Port of Baltimore’s public marine terminals in July, setting a new record for most cargo tons in one month and eclipsing the previous record of 852,522 tons set in April of this year.

General cargo includes containerized goods, autos, forest products, and roll on/roll off (farm and construction) equipment.

“The Port of Baltimore continues to lead the way as we recover from the challenging economic conditions of the past few years,” said Governor O’Malley. “In Maryland, we have one of the best cargo ports in the nation, and that’s good news for jobs and good news for strengthening and growing our economy.”

General cargo in July was up 24 percent from June. Through the first seven months of 2012, general cargo tonnage is up 11 percent from last year. Among individual commodities, roll on/roll off is up 32 percent, auto units are up 22 percent, containers are up eight percent, and wood pulp which is used to produced napkins, paper towels and other paper products is up two percent.

In 2011 the Port of Baltimore saw a 15 percent increase in cargo from 2010 which marked the greatest increase of growth by any major U.S. port. The Port’s public and private marine terminals saw 37.8 million tons of cargo cross their docks in 2011, up from 32.8 million tons in 2010. The total dollar value amount of that cargo was more than $51.4 billion, the Port’s highest dollar value ever and a 24 percent jump from 2010. The port also set seven other cargo records in 2011.

The Port of Baltimore is ranked as the top port among 360 U.S. ports for handling farm and construction machinery, autos and light trucks, imported forest products, imported sugar, imported iron ore and imported gypsum. Baltimore ranks second in the U.S. for exported coal, imported salt, and imported aluminum. Overall Baltimore is ranked 11th for the total dollar value of cargo and 12th for cargo tonnage.

Business at the Port of Baltimore generates about 14,630 direct jobs, while about 108,000 jobs in Maryland are linked to port activities. The Port is responsible for $3 billion in personal wages and salary and more than $300 million in state and local taxes.

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World Maritime News, August 30, 2012; Image: Marylandports