Page 9 - Port of Baltimore Magazine May/June 2011

governor’s Message
Cargo Statistics Show Port is Gaining More Momentum
Governor O’Malley recently announced that business at the
Port of Baltimore saw a strong rebound in 2010 after a
down 2009 year caused by the economic downturn. This
recovery is very good news not only for the Port, but for
the thousands of family-supporting jobs that depend on the health
and vitality of the Port of Baltimore.
The economic recession had a very negative effect on all ports,
and Baltimore was no different. We had cargo tonnage decreases in
all of our major commodities. However, throughout one of the worst
economic periods in the history of our country, the Port of Baltimore
was still able to maintain our market share. Baltimore today is still
ranked first out of about 360 U.S. ports for Roll-On/Roll-Off cargo,
imported forest products, imported sugar and imported gypsum.
We are ranked second for exported cars and imported iron ore.
Baltimore is third nationally for imported cars, imported aluminum
and exported coal. Overall we are ranked 12th for dollar value of
cargo and 15th for cargo tonnage.
Last year we began what will be a slow climb back to pre-
recession levels. The amount of foreign commerce that made its way
to Baltimore’s public and private terminals was 33 million tons, a 47
percent jump from the year before, which was the largest increase
among northeast ports. The overall dollar value of the cargo that
transited our piers was $41.5 billion, 37 percent higher than in 2009.
Bulk cargos, like sugar, salt, coal and gypsum, which are handled
by our private terminals, were up a remarkable 61 percent. Imports
were up 26 percent and exports jumped 72 percent.
General cargo at the public terminals reached 8.1 million tons,
an increase from 7.3 million tons in 2009. The number of autos
handled was up 44 percent; containers were up 17 percent; pulp
and rolled paper were each up 11 percent; and Roll-On/Roll-Off was
up four percent.
While these are all good signs, a complete recovery for our
business portfolio is still a work in progress. Nevertheless, as we
move forward, we are very excited about our future. Progressive
business partnerships, like our agreement with Ports America
Chesapeake for Seagirt Marine Terminal, in addition to wise
infrastructure investments and long-term contracts with several key
port customers, mean that, with a recovering economy, the Port of
Baltimore is clearly in an enviable position for the years ahead.
James J. White, Executive Director
Taking Steps to Keep Cruise Business Climbing
Earlier this spring, the Port of Baltimore began using a
new, state-of-the-art passenger boarding bridge at its
cruise terminal. The new boarding bridge is an enclosed
walkway between the cruise terminal and a cruise ship. It
is equipped with heating and air conditioning, can withstand high
winds, and is mobile and flexible enough to accommodate different-
sized cruise vessels.
Our goal as a cruise port is to provide our passengers with a
top-notch cruise experience from departure to return. The boarding
bridge is another element that will add to that overall experience and
put us on par with any other boarding bridge in the United States.
The future for Maryland’s cruise business is bright. This year we
expect another record-breaking year for cruising from the Port of
Baltimore with 112 cruises scheduled to the Bahamas, Bermuda and
Caribbean. Last year, a record 210,549 people sailed on 90 cruises
from Baltimore. This year we are expecting between 230,000 and
240,000 people.
Those numbers are a far cry from just a few years ago when
only 25 to 30 seasonal cruises sailed from Baltimore. Our success
in cruise is due to a number of factors. One is the unique location of
the cruise terminal positioned right off Interstate 95, the main street
of the U.S. East Coast. More than 120,000 vehicles drive right past
the cruise terminal every day. It is also not uncommon to see cars
from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and the Carolinas
parked at our cruise terminal.
Another key reason for the success of cruise is our location in the
fourth largest consumer market in the nation. Baltimore is located
within a four-hour drive of eight of the 10 wealthiest counties in
the United States, and we are within a six-hour drive for 40 million
people. Baltimore is also the closest East Coast port to Pittsburgh,
Cleveland, Indianapolis and Chicago, and the New York metro area is
within a three-hour drive. Surveys tell us that more cruise passengers
today would rather drive several hours to reach their cruise ship than
pay airfare to fly a family of four to a more distant cruise port.
Baltimore is now ranked sixth on the East Coast (behind only
four Florida ports and New York) for cruise passengers and 14th
nationally. Why is the success of our cruise business so important?
It helps contribute to the health of the economic engine that is the
Port of Baltimore, generates $90 million in economic impact for
Maryland and supports about 500 jobs. Without a doubt, Baltimore’s
cruise business and the positive impact it has on Maryland’s
economy is a real success story.
Martin O’Malley, Governor
executive View
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