Port of Baltimore YTD cargo volumes rise 11%

Through the first nine months of 2017, the Maryland port handled over 8 million tons of general cargo at its public marine terminals, breaking last year’s record of 7.4 million tons during the same period.    The Port of Baltimore handled over 8 million tons of general cargo at its public marine terminals during the first nine months of 2017, breaking last year’s record of 7.4 million tons during the same period, the mid-Atlantic port announced .
   Container throughput rose 11 percent during the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, while general cargo rose 14.5 percent in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. 
   “The port is a leading economic engine for the City of Baltimore and our state, and its continued success is further proof that Maryland is open for business,” said Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. “Our administration remains committed to ensuring that the port remains one of the top ports in the nation.”
   The 2016 Journal of Commerce port rankings placed the Port of Baltimore as the fourth fastest-growing port in North America, with a 9.8 percent increase in the amount of cargo handled from the previous year. The port saw 31.8 million tons of international cargo cross its public and private marine terminal docks in 2016, valued at approximately $49.9 billion.
   According to ocean carrier schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting, 25 direct liner services currently call the Port of Baltimore, with the OCEAN Alliance operating one service – the Taiwan Strait service – and 2M Alliance operating three – the TP12, TA2 and TA5 loops. Major carriers such MSC, Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk Line operate stand-alone services to Baltimore, while car carriers such as Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Atlantic Ro-Ro Carriers, Hoegh Autoliners and NYK RoRo call the port as well.