For more than three centuries, ships have sailed into the Port of Baltimore and opportunity has rolled in with the waves. Today, the Port remains Maryland’s gateway to the world and harbor of possibility – serving as the driving force behind our trade-based economy, sustaining a reputation for being a true environmental leader, emerging as one of the most secure ports in the nation, and continuing to grow an expanding cruise business.  

Even during the current global economic crisis, 2008 was another record year for the Port of Baltimore.  General cargo handled through the Maryland Port Administration’s (MPA) public marine terminals reached nearly nine million tons for the first time.  This marked the seventh consecutive record year of growth for general cargo tonnage.    The total dollar value of cargo from both the public and private terminals was a record $45.3 billion, an eight percent increase from 2007.   The amount of foreign commerce transiting through the Port was up seven percent to 33 million tons, its highest mark since 1981.  Total exports reached 15 million tons, a 33 percent increase from the previous year, and the Port’s highest overall export level since 1996. 

The Port of Baltimore ranks first among 360 U.S. ports for: roll on/roll off (farm and construction equipment), trucks, imported forest products, imported gypsum, imported iron ore and imported sugar.   Overall, the Port is ranked 12^th nationally for total dollar value of cargo and 14^th nationally for total foreign cargo handled.

In addition to its successes in maritime cargo, the MPA has recently made impressive strides to help protect our environment.  An environmental education center, located on a site that was once one of the most contaminated areas in Baltimore, has been constructed as part of a $153 million effort by the MPA to restore the Masonville waterfront.  The site will also eventually be home to a park and wildlife area with hiker and biker trails. 

Other ways that MPA and the State of Maryland are working together to create a more sustainable future include: 

• Retrofitting diesel filters on dredging equipment;

• Testing the effectiveness of a ship’s ability to safely treat ballast water before discharge;

• Being a pioneer in developing beneficial use of dredged material for restoring eroding islands and wetland habitats in the Chesapeake Bay;

• Implementing an environmental management system;

• Funding a state program to replenish our oyster population; and,

• Partnering with Baltimore City schools to remove blacktop surfaces and replace them with grass.

While we work to build a more sustainable future for our Port and our entire State, we are also committed to making the Port of Baltimore more secure.   A milestone achievement occurred earlier this year when the Port’s public terminals received a near-perfect security score following a thorough compliance examination by the United States Coast Guard.  The Port also became one of the first Level II U.S. ports to implement the federally-mandated Transportation Workers Identification Credential program.             

Other recent Port security accomplishments include: 

• Becoming one of the first U.S. ports to check 100 percent of all imported containers for radiation; 
  

• Opening a new truck plaza with state-of-the-art security enhancements;
  

• Establishing a smart-card to verify terminal access for port workers;
  

• Certification of Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism; and
  

• Enhancement of the perimeter fence-line.

Cruise operations are also underway, providing the Port of Baltimore with its biggest cruise year ever.  In 2009, the Port will offer a record 79 cruises including it’s first-ever year cruising program with Carnival Cruise Lines.  In addition to Carnival, the Port offers cruises from Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Lines.   Next year, Royal Caribbean will bring a larger ship and join Carnival in offering all-season cruising from Baltimore.   The Port’s booming cruise business is outstanding news for our local economy.  The economic impact from cruise is about $152 million supporting 1,550 jobs throughout the State. 

The Port of Baltimore is stronger and more diverse today than ever before in its history.   Even in a challenging economy, the Port’s importance to our State cannot be understated.   While there is much work yet to be done, it is clear that progress has been made in the areas of cargo, cruise, the environment and security.  I look forward to working with the Port community and our valued customers as, together, we continue build on this momentum and create a stronger Maryland.