Page 9 - Port of Baltimore Magazine Nov/Dec 2012

To subscribe or renew, visitwww.marylandports.com November/December 2012 ■ The Port of Baltimore [7]
GOVERNOR’S Message
2 012 will be remembered as one of the very special years in
the history of the Port of Baltimore with some significant
accomplishments that we achieved in both our cargo and
cruise businesses.
Through our public-private partnership with Ports America
Chesapeake, a new 50-foot-deep container berth was completed.
The berth allows our port to be one of only two on the East Coast
that are able to accommodate some of the world’s largest ships. A
few months after completing construction on the new berth, four
super Post-Panamax container cranes arrived at Seagirt Marine
Terminal for installation. Extending 400 feet tall from the ground
to the tip of the boom, the cranes now provide the newest addition
to Baltimore’s skyline.
I’m also happy to report that our record-setting cargo
performance in 2011 continued though 2012. At the time of this
writing, general cargo handled at our public marine terminals was
up nine percent from 2011 and trending toward an all-time record
year. Among specific cargos, cars were up 19 percent over a record
year in 2011 when Baltimore handled more cars than any other U.S.
port. Roll-on/roll-off, containers and breakbulk were also all up.
Cruising from the Port of Baltimore continued to be a huge
success in 2012. Nearly every ship leaving our port sailed at full
capacity and our two cruise partners made stronger commitments
here. Last year, Carnival Cruise Lines signed a five-year extension
to continue serving the Port of Baltimore. In 2012, Royal Caribbean
International announced they would bring the newly renovated
Grandeur of the Seas here in 2013 after a nearly $50 million
renovation that includes new restaurants, entertainment options
and other features only available on their largest class ships. Royal
Caribbean’s commitment to Maryland was further proven when
they reserved berthing space at our cruise terminal through 2014.
The number one reason for our success continues to be the
men and women who work here. We have an outstanding labor
force that is known in our industry as being one of the very best.
With that constant, the future of the Port of Baltimore will always
be bright. Best wishes for a great 2013!
James J. White, Executive Director
Recently, we opened the newly constructed Masonville Cove
nature area on the waterfront in Baltimore City. This project
is transforming one of Baltimore’s most toxic stretches
of waterfront into an environmental sanctuary that will
benefit wildlife, local residents and the Port of Baltimore.
In 2007, the Maryland Port Administration identified a large
site along the Masonville shore as the location for a new dredged
material containment facility. Ultimately, a new marine terminal
will be built on top of the containment facility. This project is im-
portant for the future of the Port of Baltimore and the 14,000 men
and women who work there, and must be handled with respect
for the neighboring communities. Working with residents, we
identified 122 acres adjacent to the larger 140-acre containment
project with the vision of restoring the waterfront and creating a
dedicated space for community members to use for generations
to come.
Part of the transformation of the Masonville site is the
construction of an environmental education center that opened
in 2009. It has welcomed thousands of grade-school students
to learn through hands-on environmental activities. The Living
Classrooms Foundation, National Aquarium Baltimore and a local
neighborhood community organization actively work together to
develop and run the center’s education programs.
The recently opened nature area is now capped with clean soil
and is being replanted with native trees, shrubs and wetland plants.
The space offers walking trails, fishing and bird-watching oppor-
tunities and a non-motorized boat ramp for kayaks and canoes.
This project is the first of a three-phase effort that will restore 40
additional acres of land for public use over the next few years.
The Masonville environmental restoration project is a great
example of our Smart, Green & Growing initiative, which is linking
community revitalization, transportation improvements, economic
development, smart growth and environmental restoration efforts
to create a more sustainable future for Maryland.
Martin O’Malley, Governor
EXECUTIVE View
Smart Steps Toward a More Sustainable Future
Exceptional Labor Force Contributes to Impressive 2012