[
8
]
The Port of Baltimore
■
May/June 2014
The happenings in and around the Port
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
COURTESY OF MOL
KATHY BERGREN SMITH
AUTOS
MOL Launches New Car Carrier
Service from Mexico
M
itsui OSK Lines (MOL)
has launched a new car carrier
service from Mexico to meet increased demand in the
United States.
On the U.S. East Coast, two MOL divisions — Nissan Motor
Car Carrier (NMCC) and World Logistics Service (USA) — are
working together to provide a weekly shuttle service from the
Port of Veracruz to Baltimore and other ports. Services began
in March with a shipment of Honda vehicles. A Nissan shipment
took place in mid-April. MOL is also the primary carrier for
Mazda, and AMPORTS is the vehicle processor handling MOL
business at the Port of Baltimore’s Chesapeake Terminal.
The Japanese shipping line has become quite a familiar site
around the Port of Baltimore, making anywhere from 10 to 15
ship calls each month. “The recent increase in MOL business to
the Port has been a tremendous boost in auto volumes and an
economic benefit to the region in general,” said
Larry Johnson
,
MPA Trade Development, Autos.
MOL has also added service fromMexico to the U.S. West Coast.
Of the three million vehicles produced in Mexico in 2013,
four out of every five were exported, with the United States
being the principal market, according to MOL. A statement
released by the company said exports of automobiles from
Mexico are expected to continue expanding, and MOL is drawing
on its half-century of experience in car carrier operations to
offer “continual improvements to the safety and reliability of the
car carrier services to meet the rapidly growing demand.”
NEWSMAKERS
MPA’s Norris Named
‘Woman of the Year’
R
ecognized as a tireless worker and
“problem-solver” with the Maryland
Port Administration (MPA),
Mary Jane
Norris
was recently named “Woman of the
Year” by the Women’s History Association.
Norris was honored during the 15th annual
Women in Maritime History breakfast.
“Mary Jane has been a leader throughout
her career with the MPA,” said
Chris Correale
,
co-chair of the Association and Principal at
EcoLogix Group. “She has been a tremendous
problem-solver for the Port’s customers and
has worked tirelessly over the years to bring
parties together to find solutions to shipping
problems.”
Norris has been involved in the maritime
industry for more than 40 years. She started
her 32-year career with the MPA as an
Assistant Manager in the Tariffs and National
Port Affairs Department. Currently, she is the
MPA’s Manager of Port Operations Services
and works as a liaison with federal government
agencies involved in international cargo.
Norris also serves on several college
boards and works with the federal agency
Quality Work Group.
“I am overwhelmed with joy,” said Norris
of being the honoree at an event she has
supported as a chair, co-chair and committee
member for several years. The Women in
Maritime History breakfast “is near and dear
to my heart. We have such a tight-knit Port
community, as I feel like I work with family
and friends.”
The breakfast, held in March at the
Sparrows Point Country Club, had a theme
of “Engaging the Next Generation of Port
Workers.”
Dr. Dawn Lindsay
, President of Anne
Arundel Community College, was keynote
speaker. Panelists included
Lorraine Andrews-
Warnick
of the Living Classrooms Foundation,
Lieutenant Commander Stephanie Morrison
15
2
0
1
4
MPA Manager of Port Operations
Services Mary Jane Norris was a
“Women in Maritime History” honoree.
