Page 24 - Port of Baltimore - Issue 5 - 2022

CARGO
Ceres has always had a good
relationship with the [International Longshoremen’s Association] and values the work and commitment they provide to ensure the Port of Baltimore continues to be the premier location in the U.S. to handle auto and ro/ro products.”
– Bill Wade, Director of Operations, Ceres Marine Terminals
Behind the scenes, officials at the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) work hard on maintaining and growing those numbers.
“The MPA continues to do a great job staying close to its ro/ro customers,” said Joseph Marecki, the MPA’s Administrator, Business Development
in the ro/ro commodity. “We’re always willing to go the extra mile. We are available to discuss opportunities and look for ways to make sure operations are successful for all customers, no matter how big or small. We are still working hard to meet growing customer demands in a time with limited shipping capacity and a tough labor market. I am very proud of how all our teams work together with our customers to provide stability and flexibility.”
Ro/ro customers at the Port include CNH Industrial, Caterpillar, John Deere, AGCO and Komatsu, to name a few. Some customers, such as John Deere, have been doing business with the
Port for more than 30 years. (John Deere’s products, which are primarily manufactured in the Midwest, are shipped from Baltimore across the globe.)
But no matter how longstanding the relationship with a customer, Port officials listen carefully to all customers’ feedback and keep them in the loop on new opportunities, Marecki said. In addition, “we stay close and follow up with stevedores
and terminal operators to make sure any concerns are being addressed and, if needed, corrective actions are being implemented.”
For example, to ensure proper handling of cargo, the Port hosts regular training events, such as the annual Ro/Ro Rodeo.
“Our Port of Baltimore team continues to prove why this Port is the best in the nation for roll-on/roll- off,” said MPA Executive Director William P. Doyle. “Baltimore’s highly skilled longshore workers and great terminal operators are second to none in handling high and heavy machinery. Our location advantage puts us closer than any other East Coast port to Midwestern ro/ro manufacturers. Working closely as one Port of Baltimore, we will continue doing whatever it takes to remain number one for ro/ro.”
‘The Premier Location’
for Ro/Ro, Autos
One of the Port of Baltimore’s most longstanding terminal operators is Ceres Marine Terminals, which has been working at the Port for more than 50 years. Each year, the terminal handles more than 300,000 auto and ro/ro units, and in excess of 400,000 passengers for the Port’s cruise operations.
“Ceres and the MPA have always had a close and good working relationship,” said Bill Wade, Director of Operations at Ceres. “It’s tough to be in business for over 50 years in any location and not to be able to work closely with your partners. Ceres also has always had a good relationship with the [International Longshoremen’s Association] and values the work and commitment they provide to ensure the Port of Baltimore continues to be the premier location in the U.S. to handle auto and ro/ro products.”
Baltimore is a good, strategic business nexus for Ceres due to its “ability to handle cargo of all shapes and sizes, [as well as its] geographic location,” Wade said. In addition to being close to major East Coast cities, Baltimore is the closest Port to
the Midwest.
“Vessels are able to get in and out of Baltimore with minimal to no delays on berth availability,” Wade added. “The workforce is ready to handle vessels whenever they arrive.”
Caterpillar’s Dan Spivey instructs a Port worker in the proper handling of equipment during the annual Ro/Ro Rodeo.
[22] The Port of Baltimore ■
ISSUE 5 / 2022