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May/June 201 2
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The Port of Baltimore
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7
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governor’s
Message
A
utos are one of our key commodities at the Port of
Baltimore. Last year the Port handled more autos
than any other U.S. port. We attribute that significant
accomplishment to many factors, including stronger
demand for new cars in an improving economy and the Port of
Baltimore’s overall reputation as one of this country’s top auto
ports. One of the reasons why our port today is known for autos
is because we have some of the best auto processing companies
in the world right on our docks — and you can read about them
in this issue.
When most people purchase a car, they usually do not think
about how their car was made. They do not concern themselves
with where rust-preventive undercoatings were applied, or where
accessories like running boards, spoilers, satellite radios or special
trims were added. They only want to make sure it was done — not
where it was done.
The Port of Baltimore is fortunate to have four of the leading
auto processing companies in the nation operating on our docks —
AMPORTS, Mercedes-Benz, WWL and our newest processor, AWC.
When cars are made in this country and shipped out from our Port,
before they are loaded onto a vessel for overseas transport, they
are handled by an auto processor who can add special options
like those mentioned above. It is the same when an imported car
arrives here from another country. After it’s driven off a ship and
before it goes to the car dealer, it is taken to an auto processor
right here at the Port.
Having auto processors located on-dock at a port means that
new cars do not have to travel outside a port to receive any special
accommodations. Making that extra trip can increase overall costs
and delivery time to the customer.
Auto processing companies may not be on the minds of the
public when they purchase a new car, but they are clearly a key
reason why the Port of Baltimore today is regarded as one of the
top auto ports in the U.S.
James J. White,
Executive Director
W
orking together, we’ve achieved remarkable growth
in our cruise market at the Port of Baltimore in
recent years.
For many years, the port averaged between
25-30 cruises per year during each spring, summer and early
fall. In 2009, the port began offering cruises year-round at its
new cruise terminal — and that’s when cruising from the Port of
Baltimore really took off.
In 2008, about 61,000 people sailed on 27 cruises from
Baltimore. Last year, we had a record 251,000 people sail on 105
cruises. This year, with 100 cruises scheduled to depart from our
port, we will again see more than 225,000 vacationers leave on
a cruise from Baltimore. The most recent industry-wide figures
available show that in 2010, the Port of Baltimore handled the
fifth-largest number of cruise passengers among East Coast cruise
ports and the 12th largest in the U.S.
The investments we have made in our easy-to-access cruise
terminal off of I-95, adjacent to downtown Baltimore, are paying
dividends. In just the last three years, we have increased our
on-site parking and have installed a $3 million climate-controlled
boarding bridge to enhance the customer experience. Our goal
has been, and continues to be, to create an exceptional cruise
experience through our incomparable customer service and
our easily accessible, high-quality facilities. In fact, the Port of
Baltimore was recently recognized by Carnival Cruise Line as
having the best embarkation staff of any port it serves throughout
the U.S. and Canada.
There’s no reason to think the tremendous growth in our cruise
market can’t continue. Last month, Royal Caribbean International
announced it would bring the newly renovated
Grandeur of the
Seas
back to the Port of Baltimore in 2013 for year-round cruising.
The placement of this new and improved ship in Baltimore is a
strong vote of confidence for the Port of Baltimore and for our
region as a cruise market. Not to mention, Baltimore is within a
six-hour drive of 40 million people — a significant portion of that
market having yet to be tapped.
We are confident we will achieve even stronger growth in our
cruise market for years to come. For those who have cruised from
the Port of Baltimore, we hope to see you again soon. To everyone
else, give us a try and start your cruise vacation with us. We think
you will enjoy your experience.
Martin O’Malley,
Governor
executive
View
Cruise Market Experiences More Growth
Auto Efforts Enhanced by Top Processors