Port of Baltimore Continues to Set Cargo Records

Posted by Eric Haun August 2, 2017

The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore’s public marine terminals have for the first time surpassed one million tons of general cargo in one month, handling a total of 1,007,704 tons in May and leapfrogging past the previous record of 923,030 tons set in January. The port also set a record by handling 86,403 TEU (20-foot long) containers in May, besting the previous mark set nearly two years ago.

“The Port of Baltimore continues to perform at a very high level and has had a tremendous year so far,” said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. “With thousands of direct jobs and nearly 130,000 jobs in Maryland that are connected to the Port, our administration remains committed to the Port’s continued success.”

The general cargo record of more than one million tons was also an 11 percent increase from May 2016. General cargo includes cars, containers, farm and construction machinery, breakbulk and forest products (rolled paper and wood pulp).

The latest records come on the heels of several other achievements and a record-setting 2016, in which the port’s public marine terminals surpassed 10 million tons of general cargo for the first time and handled a record number of containers, 538,567. The momentum from 2016 continued into 2017 with the port coming out of the gate in January with a record month for general cargo and container tons. The port’s strong performance continued as it recently announced a record first quarter for general cargo tonnage.

Containers are currently up 10 percent year over year at the Port of Baltimore. The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) recently announced the purchase of 70 acres of land near the Seagirt Marine Terminal that will be used for additional cargo opportunities including containers.