A message from Martin O’Malley,
Governor of Maryland
For more than three centuries, ships have sailed into the Port of Baltimore and opportunity has rolled in with the waves. Today, the port remains Maryland’s gateway to the world and harbor of possibility — serving as the driving force behind our trade-based economy, sustaining a reputation for being a true environmental leader, emerging as one of the most secure ports in the nation and continuing to grow an expanding cruise business.
The Port of Baltimore remains an important job provider and major source of revenue for the state of Maryland. It is one of Maryland’s economic engines, supporting approximately 120,000 jobs, including 16,500 direct jobs. Annually, the port is responsible for generating $3.6 billion in personal wages and salary income, $1.9 billion in business revenues and $400 million in state, county and municipal taxes.
Even amid the current global economic crisis, 2008 was another record year for the Port of Baltimore. General cargo handled through the Maryland Port Administration’s public marine terminals reached nearly 9 million tons for the first time. This marked the seventh consecutive record year of growth for general cargo tonnage. The total dollar value of cargo from both the public and private terminals was a record $45.3 billion, an 8 percent increase from 2007. The amount of foreign commerce transiting through the port was up 7 percent to 33 million tons, its highest mark since 1981. Total exports reached 15 million tons, a 33 percent increase from the previous year and the port’s highest overall export level since 1996.
The Port of Baltimore ranks first among 360 U.S. ports for roll-on, roll-off (farm and construction equipment); trucks; imported forest products; imported gypsum; imported iron ore; and imported sugar. Overall, the port is ranked 12th nationally for total dollar value of cargo and 14th nationally for total foreign cargo handled.
In addition to its successes in maritime cargo, the MPA has recently made impressive strides to help protect our environment. An environmental education center — located on a site that was once one of the most contaminated areas in Baltimore — has been constructed as part of a $153 million effort by the MPA to restore the Masonville waterfront. The site will also eventually be home to a park and wildlife area with hiker and biker trails.
Other ways that the MPA and state of Maryland are working together to create a more sustainable future include:
— Retrofitting diesel filters on dredging equipment.
— Testing the effectiveness of a ship’s ability to safely treat ballast water before discharge.
— Being a pioneer in development of the beneficial use of dredged material for restoring eroding islands and wetland habitats in the Chesapeake Bay.
— Implementing an environmental-management system.
— Funding a state program to replenish our oyster population.
— Partnering with Baltimore City schools to remove blacktop surfaces and replace them with grass.
While we work to build a more sustainable future for our port and our entire state, we are also committed to making the Port of Baltimore more secure. A milestone achievement occurred earlier this year when the port’s public terminals received a near-perfect security score following a thorough compliance examination by the U.S. Coast Guard. The port also became one of the first Level II U.S. ports to implement the federally mandated Transportation Workers Identification Credential program.
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