Baltimore is fastest-growing US port

The port of Baltimore recorded a 15% year-on-year increase in cargo throughput in 2011 – the largest growth of any major US port last year.
The port handled 37.8 million tonnes of cargo last year, up from 32.8 million tonnes in 2010.
The value of the cargo was more than $51.4 billion, the port’s highest total ever and a 24% jump from 2010.
Other records included the port’s highest ever exports – 24 million tonnes – and 551,000 vehicle units passing through last year, the highest at any US port.

The port of Baltimore recorded a 15% year-on-year increase in cargo throughput in 2011 – the largest growth of any major US port last year.
The port handled 37.8 million tonnes of cargo last year, up from 32.8 million tonnes in 2010.
The value of the cargo was more than $51.4 billion, the port’s highest total ever and a 24% jump from 2010.
Other records included the port’s highest ever exports – 24 million tonnes – and 551,000 vehicle units passing through last year, the highest at any US port.
Richard Scher, Director of Communications for Maryland Port Administration, told IFW: “We’ve followed a strategic plan that we put into place in the late 1990s, that has led us to diversify our cargo instead of concentrating on one particular commodity like containers.
“During the economic downturn, when other ports with a container-only focus were down 30-40%, Baltimore was only down about 15%,” he added.
“Baltimore is currently the number-one port in the US for cars, ro-ro and imported forest products.”
He added that the port expects continued success in 2012, due in part to a 50ft container berth constructed earlier this year, which will feature four super post-panamax cranes expected to be operational by September.
“Baltimore is now only one of two east coast ports with a 50ft berth and 50ft channel,” said Scher.
“Super-sized ships that will soon travel through the Panama Canal after its expansion will only be able to visit ports with a large enough berth and channel. This puts Baltimore in a very good competitive position.”