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The Port of Baltimore
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May/June 201 2
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10,000 vehicles per month via rail for export
to a variety of destinations worldwide.
“We have partnered with CSX and
their subsidiary Total Distribution Services
Inc. (TDSI) to expand our capabilities for
loading and unloading via rail,” said Steven
Rand, AMPORTS President and CEO. The
two companies are seeking to increase
rail capacity, which will allow even more
vehicles to flow through the terminal.
Across the harbor, AMPORTS leases 65
acres from the MPA at its Dundalk Marine
Terminal, which is served by the Norfolk
Southern Railroad. (This dual-service by
CSX and Norfolk Southern, together with
Baltimore’s geographic location as the
closest Atlantic Coast port to auto-manu-
facturing hubs in the Midwest, makes the
Port a natural choice for export vehicles.)
As AMPORTS processes several different
auto manufacturers’ products, the facility is
set up to provide diverse processing services.
After a rigorous inspection, vehicles may be
accessorized before heading to load lines
for outbound transportation. According to
“Our secret weapon here in Baltimore is really
the skilled and committed labor force. Many of
our people have decades of experience in their
area of expertise.”
~ George Molyneaux
Rand, the vehicles are readied for their ocean
voyage by spraying an undercoat to combat
rust. Each AMPORTS facility includes paint
and body shop services, which are fully
capable of addressing any damage that may
have occurred during inbound transit.
“Our motto, when it comes to repairs,
is: ‘Better than new,’” said George
Molyneaux, General Manager of the facility.
There are literally hundreds of paint colors
to monitor, as well as any service bulletins
for the dozens of models of cars the facility
handles. Again, Molyneaux points to a
highly skilled workforce as the key to the
processing center’s success.
“Our secret weapon here in Baltimore
is really the skilled and committed labor
force,” said Molyneaux. “Many of our
people have decades of experience in their
area of expertise.”
The MPA’s ground-breaking Quality
Cargo Handling Action Team (QCHAT)
brings together representatives from
each of the processors, the stevedores,
the shippers and the manufacturers for
a monthly meeting. “Basically, everyone
involved in the handling of autos will be
represented at the meetings,” said MPA’s
Johnson. It is not uncommon for 30 or more
people to be on hand sharing information.
Ted Boudalis, Strategic VPC Opera-
tions Manager for Mercedes-Benz USA,
says QCHAT is an opportunity to introduce
new vehicle technologies or handling
The high-quality performance and efficiency of vehicle processing centers operated by Mercedes-Benz USA, left, WWL Vehicle Americas Services,
right, and AMPORTS, opposite page, have helped enhance the reputation of the Port of Baltimore within the automotive industry.
COURTESY OF MERCEDES-BENZ USA