Page 22 - Port of Baltimore Sept/Oct 2011

In a little less than one year, the Port of Baltimore
will be able to begin receiving some of the world’s
largest container ships thanks to construction of a
new 50-foot-deep berth.
Work has been progressing smoothly
on Berth 4 at the 200-acre Seagirt Marine
Terminal, with completion of the wharf
expected in January and the cranes sched-
uled to be in place by next August. The
completion date gives Baltimore a leg up
over other ports that won’t be prepared to
accept 12,600 TEU ships that will begin arriv-
ing following the widening of the Panama
Canal. The canal work should be completed
by 2014.
“Without a doubt, this is one of the most
significant capital projects to ever take place
at the Port of Baltimore,” said Maryland Port
Administration (MPA) Executive Director
James J. White. “A year from now, this port
will be able to handle some of the largest
container ships in the world. This project
has also been a remarkable job generator
BY NANCY MENEFEE JACKSON
during some of the toughest economic times
in recent memory. I look forward to seeing
the completion of this project as we come
down the homestretch.”
Even a year from completion, Seagirt is
already drawing interest from shippers with
even larger vessels.
Ports America Chesapeake entered
into a unique public-private partnership
with the MPA, agreeing to a 50-year lease
while developing the much-needed 50-foot
container berth and four cranes — a $105.5
million project. The new berth makes
Baltimore one of only two ports on the East
Coast able to handle the larger ships. Project
Finance Magazine awarded the project its
“North American Logistics Deal of the
Year” award for 2010, and Infrastructure
Investor Magazine called it the “North
2009
MPA and Ports America enter
into 50-year Seagirt agreement. August 2010
Intricate dredging operations
mark important progress.
May2010
Work is under way following
ground-breaking ceremony in March.
[20] The Port of Baltimore ■ September/October 2011
KATHY BERGREN SMITH CONSTRUCTION OF A BERTH >>>> >
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PORTS AMERICA CHESAPEAKE