Record year for Port of Baltimore

Around 9.6m tonnes of general cargo were moved at Baltimore’s docks and, for the fifth consecutive year, more autos crossed its piers than at any other US port. Last year also saw the port named as the most efficient port in the nation, averaging 75 container moves per hour per berth.

In 2015 the port began receiving Maersk Line and was also successful in signing global shipping and logistics giant, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, to a 30 year contract.

Larry Hogan, Governor of Maryland, said: “The Port of Baltimore is one of the nation’s busiest ports, as well as one of Maryland’s leading economic engines.”

“In addition to welcoming the world’s largest container shipping company and signing another giant to a long-term contract, the port set numerous records proving again that Maryland is truly open for business,” he added.

Significant accomplishments of key target commodities at the port in 2015 include a record 523,848 containers at public terminals, an increase of 8% on the previous year and a record 399,618 imported cars at public terminals, up 20% from the previous year. The combined total of auto imports across both public and private terminals was 753,265 – the highest number among all US ports for the fifth consecutive year.

Forest products at public terminals was 398,618 tonnes, up 20% from 2014, and the port saw 193,709 passengers leaving from the port for cruises.

The port has the largest US market share of farm and construction machinery at public terminals and is also ranked number one for handling autos and light trucks, imported gypsum, imported sugar and imported aluminium.

Baltimore is ranked second for exported coal, with exports up 10% in 2015 and is the only major coal port in the US to report an increase.

Combining both the public and private marine terminals, the port saw 32.4m tonnes of international cargo valued at around $51.1bn cross its docks in 2015. Overall Baltimore is ranked ninth for the total dollar value of cargo and 13th for cargo tonnage for all US ports.

Business at Baltimore generates around 13,650 direct jobs, with more than 127,000 jobs in Maryland being linked to port activities. The port generates more than $310m in state and local tax revenues.