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Port of Baltimore Rebounds from COVID-19 Impact

[ February 25, 2021   //   ]

The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore’s state-owned, public marine terminals opened 2021 in impressive fashion, with all categories posting significant increases over 2020 lows during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, two categories – cars/light trucks and roll on/roll off farm and construction equipment – showed year-over-year gains of more than 20% in January 2021 compared to pre-pandemic numbers in January 2020.
“The Port of Baltimore continues to surpass pre-pandemic numbers from early 2020, demonstrating the resiliency of our state’s economy and the impact of consumer demand,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “As we continue the fight against COVID-19, the Port remains a strong example of the optimistic view of Maryland’s economic recovery.”
January saw continued increases for cars/light trucks, general cargo, containers and roll on/roll off machinery compared to the COVID-19 low points in May and June. The cars and light truck category saw 44,697 units in January, an increase of 153.3% over a low point in May 2020 and a triple-digit percentage increase for the sixth consecutive month.
Roll on/roll off equipment, with 62,967 tons, was up in January by 27.5% over its low point in June 2020, while general cargo, at 879,256 tons, was up 19.8% compared to its June 2020 low – both of those represent the seventh consecutive month for double-digit percentage gains. The container category, with 50,674 boxes, was up 6.9% against its June low.
Compared to January 2020, the January 2021 figures in the roll on/roll off category were up 20.8%, while cars/light trucks were up 20.2% year-over-year. Containers were down 7.3% compared to January 2020 due to inclement weather delays that pushed some scheduled January arrivals into February.
“Starting off 2021, we are very encouraged with how our key cargos are performing,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) Executive Director William P. Doyle. “New car purchases are up and the agriculture equipment market is improving which has helped our roll on/roll off business. The Port of Baltimore’s location near so many distribution, fulfillment and sorting centers makes it an ideal port to handle the rise in e-commerce purchasing we’ve seen during the pandemic. Though COVID-19 still impacts our industry, we have a lot of good signs showing this year.”
“Maryland’s supply chain has been critical in the battle against COVID-19, and I’m extremely proud of the role the Port of Baltimore has played in moving medical supplies, food, clothing and other goods across the state and the region,” said MDOT Secretary Greg Slater. “Our entire team at the Port – from the men and women on the docks to our public and private-sector partners – have worked tirelessly to keep Maryland moving forward.”

Even during this extremely challenging time, the Port of Baltimore continues to gain new business, as well as increased business from existing customers. The Port’s recent volume includes 14 “ad hoc” ship calls from mid-July 2020 through early March totaling nearly 18,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) containers. Ad hoc ships are vessels that were diverted to Baltimore that were not on a regularly scheduled service.
In mid February, the first ship under the Port’s new contract with the Metsa Group of Finland and Logistec Corporation arrived. The multi-year pact is consolidating Metsa’s Mid-Atlantic volumes through Baltimore, with carriers Spliethoff Group and Royal Wagenborg servicing this business. The contract will generate hundreds of jobs and increase Metsa’s footprint at the Port, utilizing warehousing structures that have been underused or vacant for years. Metsa is bringing more than 370,000 tons of rolled paper to Maryland, used to produce materials such as corrugated cardboard boxes and other e-commerce packaging.

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