Port of Baltimore History

Founded in 1706 on the banks of the Patapsco River, the Port of Baltimore has grown to become one of the busiest ports on the East Coast of the United States. Originally established to transport farmers' crops along the Eastern seaboard, as well as cargoes to and from international destinations, today the port thrives on diversity. From automobiles to zinc, from Akron to Zhenjiang, the maritime center handles more than 30 million tons annually of all types of cargoes from around the world.

One of the Port of Baltimore's greatest advantages is its strategic Mid-Atlantic location and an inland setting that has made it the closest Atlantic port to major Midwestern population and manufacturing centers.

In addition to its geographical location, the Port of Baltimore has long maximized its enviable locale by combining on-site, state-of-the-art facilities with efficient connections to points north, south and west.

The Port of Baltimore is regarded as one of America's top container terminals, providing technological advances that have transformed port operations from clipboard to keyboard. The port boasts computerized gate complexes, hand held computers and scanners and the use of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)- all which greatly increase the port's efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Economic Engine
The Port of Baltimore is a significant economic engine for the entire region, generating $1.5 billion in revenue annually and employing 16,100 Marylanders in direct jobs, and another 17,600 in Induced and Indirect jobs.

Jobs of Every Kind
Port-related jobs are diverse and include everything from truck drivers, longshoremen, tugboat operators, and rail yard workers, to employees of the Maryland Port Administration (MPA). The MPA is charged with stimulating the flow of waterborne cargo through the entire port community, maintaining the terminals, and marketing the Port of Baltimore worldwide.

Other governmental agencies, such as U.S. Customs and the Army Corps of Engineers, along with the private sector with its variety of businesses, play a vital role in making the Port of Baltimore successful.

From freight forwarders to bay pilots to warehouse operators- all contribute to making the Port of Baltimore efficient, cost effective and easy to use.