2013
PORT
report
roll-on/
roll-off
W
hile overall roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro) tonnages were down
in 2013 due to worldwide economic conditions, the
Port of Baltimore increased its market share in this
commodity to 52 percent. Baltimore remains the
number one port in the U.S. for handling ro/ro equipment.
Continued economic woes in Europe, the Port’s largest ro/ro trading
partner, was the main reason for ro/ro’s tonnage decline in 2013.
Other factors included the global mining industry reducing its
production due to price decreases coupled with a decreased
demand for new mining equipment.
Dealing with challenging international economies can be
significant, but the Port of Baltimore’s excellent reputation in
handling ro/ro is an effective counterbalance. The Port’s reputation for
efficiency, quality and labor are main factors in encouraging shippers
and carriers to use Baltimore as their first point of entry.
Baltimore’s large and diverse group of competing carriers speaks
volumes to the Port’s overall operational capabilities, while the Port’s
proximity to the Midwest makes it a convenient seaport for the world’s
leading ro/ro manufacturers. Moving forward, Baltimore will continue
to place emphasis on its
commitment to ro/ro, its
industry-recognized quality
program QCHAT and of
course the unique Ro/Ro
Rodeo.
-200,000
0
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
ROLL-ON/ROLL-OFF
Change
in Tons
2012
2013
899,416 Tons
2012
1,091,520 Tons
PERCENT CHANGE
-18%
2013
TONS
T
he Port of Baltimore,
through its two cruise
providers, offers exciting
itineraries to the Bahamas,
Bermuda, Caribbean and New
England/Canada. Despite some
challenging issues in 2013, the
Port of Baltimore handled a
healthy 212,371 people and further
established itself as one of the top
cruise ports on the East Coast.
Last year brought a new and
improved ship to Baltimore, Royal
Caribbean’s
Grandeur of the Seas.
The ship completed a nearly $50
million renovation that included
new dining options, entertainment,
staterooms and tech upgrades.
The Carnival cruise ship
Pride
again proved its popularity in
the Mid-Atlantic region by selling
out nearly its entire Baltimore
schedule. Carnival also provided a
lift going into 2015 with the recent
announcement that the cruise
provider will bring the
Pride
back to
the Port of Baltimore for year-round
cruising beginning in March 2015.
The Port of Baltimore is the fifth-
largest cruise port on the East Coast
[
26
]
The Port of Baltimore
■
January/February 2014
cruise
