Page 34 - Port of Baltimore Magazine May/June 2013

A Refined Approach
Bitumar Blends Safety, Efficiency and Quality with Liquid Asphalt Operation
3RD IN AN OCCAS IONAL SER I ES
PORT PRIVATE TERMINALS
L iquid asphalt is one of the most important cargoes to which you’ve
probably never given much thought. Yet, if you drove to work on a
paved road or are sitting in an office building, you have liquid asphalt
to thank for the smooth ride and dry desk.
In Baltimore, Bitumar has been receiving,
refining and providing liquid asphalt to
customers since 1999 at its pier and plant
on Curtis Bay.
Liquid asphalt, a refined petroleum
product, comes to Bitumar from oil
refineries via truck, rail and ship or barge.
The terminal operates 24 hours day, seven
days a week and employs 30.
When a paving contractor or roofer
needs liquid asphalt, they can come to the
“racks” and fill their trucks. Large semis
can serve themselves, like a gas station,
while small trucks are filled by Bitumar
operators. A 23-ton capacity tractor-trailer
can be filled in as little as eight minutes,
yet, during the very busy paving season in
the summer, the yard is filled with trucks
in line to pick up material.
“We are able to support these high
volumes because we have focused on three
critical areas as we expand this operation,”
said Plant Manager Cortie Rolison, who is a
chemical engineer by training. “The quality
of the product, the efficiency of delivery
and the safety of everyone involved.”
Rolison added that, since December
2012, “the plant has operated without a
recordable or loss-time injury.”
The plant now houses a lab where
special blends can be created and tested.
The company plans on building a complete
lab where larger samples can be engineered
[32] The Port of Baltimore ■ May/June 2013