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The Port of Baltimore
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September/October 2012
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DREDGING
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Efforts Being Made
To RAMP Up
Harbor Maintenance
W
ith the help of an
amendment passed
recently by the U.S.
Congress, ports across the country
put the government on notice that
they need channels dredged.
While the amendment fell short of
its intention — to ensure that taxes col-
lected for harbor maintenance actually
get spent on harbor maintenance — it
still represented a political victory.
The Realize America’s Maritime
Promise (RAMP) Act, attached to
House transportation bill H.R. 4348,
addresses a problem plaguing ports
—
although sufficient funds have
been collected to maintain and dredge
harbors, the money has not been
appropriated to do the work.
“
Unfortunately, the final version of
the amendment does not accomplish
what the ports wanted — that all of the
Harbor Maintenance Tax money would
be spent every year — but at least the
Harbor Maintenance Tax problem was
recognized on the floor of Congress, and
that is very important,” said Helen Delich
Bentley, a maritime consultant and
former U.S. Representative. “We hope to
take it further next year so that all of the
money is spent on its intended purpose.”
Since 1986, the government has
been collecting a Harbor Maintenance
Tax from shippers moving goods
through ports, but the collection has
far outstripped expenditure. The Harbor
Maintenance Trust Fund reported a
surplus of $5.65 billion dollars at the end
of FY2010.
Meanwhile, full channel dimensions
at the nation’s busiest ports are
reportedly available less than 35
percent of the time. Shallower,
narrower channels mean ships must
lighten their loads, adding to the
costs of shipping. As Bentley told the
Baltimore Port Alliance (BPA) during
a recent BPA meeting, the passage of
the amendment earlier this year “puts
the president on notice” that maintain-
ing harbors is vital to the nation’s
economy.
EVENTS
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Port Community Hits the Fairways
G
olf outings are always a good way to enjoy the summer weather, mingle with
peers and sometimes support very worthy causes.
The second annual Golf Fore Hope, held in September in memory of Captain E.
Lorenzo Di Casagrande of Mediterranean Shipping Company, benefited the Steamship
Trade Association of Baltimore Charitable Legacy, Inc.
The STA Charity, thanks to the support of the maritime business community, has
raised more than $500,000 to help local organizations that are dedicated to the health,
education and welfare of the children and families in communities that surround the
Port of Baltimore. One of the charity’s founders, Mark Montgomery of Ports America
Chesapeake, summed up the maritime industry’s commitment to the community when he
stated, “We compete on the Port, but we come together for the community.”
In August, the Maryland Port Administration’s annual golf outing was held at the
Timbers at Troy. Beverage Cart Sponsors were Ceres Marine Terminals, Inc. and Ports
America Chesapeake.
Soundings
NEWSMAKERS
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Choptank Transport
Gets Involved
Around Maryland
C
hoptank Transport, a full-service
third-party logistics provider based
in Preston, Md., is a new member
of “Healthiest Maryland Businesses,”
a statewide initiative headed by the
Maryland Department of Health and
Mental Hygiene and designed to create
a culture of wellness at the workplace.
“
As an employer aiming to achieve
and maintain a healthy workforce, this
initiative is a perfect fit for what we
are trying to accomplish at Choptank
Transport,” said Human Resources Director
Pam Hutchinson. “We currently offer a
smoke-free workplace, free blood-pressure
screenings, employee massage days,
biggest loser contests and a health and
fitness center on the premises.”
Choptank was also recently awarded
Maryland Chamber of Commerce “Business
of the Year 2012” in the 51-200 employee
category. It’s the second time the 13-year-
old company has received this honor since
joining the Chamber in 2007. Chamber
President/CEO Kathleen T. Snyder noted
that the company has “achieved impressive
growth and built a strong corporate culture
by focusing on customer service, employee
development and community involvement.”
In other Choptank news, the company
announced a scholarship endowment
program with the University of Maryland.
The goal of the scholarship is to provide aid
to business students interested in future
employment opportunities in the fields of
transportation and third-party logistics.