Port of Baltimore reaches new highs for cargo

The Charm City port recently set monthly, fiscal year and calendar year records for containers and tonnage, according to figures from the Maryland Port Administration.    The Port of Baltimore handled 11.3 percent more containers in fiscal year 2015 than in 2014, setting a fiscal year throughput record of 808,500 TEUs, according to figures released Monday by the Maryland Port Administration.
   The Mid-Atlantic port also set a record for general cargo tonnage during the fiscal year ended June 30. More than 9.74 million tons of containers, automobiles, farm equipment, construction machinery, forest products and break bulk cargo moved through the port during the period, up from 9.6 million tons the previous year.
   In June, port terminals handled 79,644 TEUs, the most ever for a single month and 20.7 percent more than in June 2014. The port reported container volumes of 76,529 TEUs in July.
   Year-to-date, Baltimore container terminals are 8.6 percent ahead of last year’s pace with 479,225 TEUs compared to 441,159 TEUs. The port set a calendar-year record of 770,139 TEUs in 2014.
   Baltimore and several other East Coast ports are benefiting from the diversion of Asia-origin cargo by some shippers trying to mitigate the risk of delays on the West Coast, where labor issues slowed productivity for several months and systemic inefficiencies continue to cause congestion during high-volume periods.
   The port also has a new 50-foot berth capable of handling the largest ships at the Seagirt Marine Terminal and has gained a reputation as one of the most efficient ports in the nation, with low turn times for truckers that shuttle containers to and from customers. Ocean container lines have taken notice and added several new services this year.