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First as mayor
of the city of Baltimore and now as governor of the great state of Maryland,
I know the important role the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore plays
in our every day lives. From the clothing we wear to the cars we drive,
from the magazines we read to the sugar we put in our coffee, we often take
for granted the many uses of our Port. As a job provider and as a major
source of revenue for the state, the Port of Baltimore has been part of the
lives of Maryland families for more than 300 years. Today the Port of
Baltimore is thriving, breaking cargo records, becoming a friend to the
environment, and evolving into as secure a port as any in the nation.
In 2006, the
Port of Baltimore enjoyed another record-breaking year. Foreign cargo
handled at the Port was valued at $36.7 billion, an all-time high. The
amount of total foreign cargo handled exceeded 30 million tons for the third
straight year. In addition, the amount of general cargo handled at the
Port exceeded nine million tons for the first time. Out of 361 U.S. ports,
the Port of Baltimore ranks 12th for dollar value of cargo and 14th
for total foreign cargo handled.
As a result of
its outstanding work to increase U.S. exports, the Maryland Port
Administration (MPA) which oversees the public terminals at the Port of
Baltimore, was honored in 2007 with the Presidential “E” award. The award
was created in 1961 to recognize persons, firms, or organizations that
contribute significantly to increase U.S. exports. The MPA was awarded
this special distinction for its increased export business over the last
several years. Since 2002, general cargo exported from the Port’s public
terminals grew by 42 percent. Roll on/roll off export cargo (farm and
construction equipment) increased 139 percent while auto exports jumped 169
percent since 2002.
The MPA, which
also won the “E” award in 1964, is only the 23rd port
organization out of 361 total ports in the U.S. to win the highly acclaimed
recognition. It is only the fourth port to win the award twice
The Port of
Baltimore is known as one of Maryland’s main economic engines.
Approximately 128,000 jobs are linked to the Port, including 19,300 direct
Port jobs. The Port is also a major source of personal and business
revenue for Maryland. In 2006, the Port was responsible for $2.4 billion in
personal wage and salary income and it generated $1.9 billion in business
revenues. The Port also generated state, county, and municipal taxes of
$278 million.
In addition to
its economic role, the MPA is an award-winning friend of the environment.
In 2007, the MPA was awarded a Mayor’s Business Recognition Award for its
Masonville restoration project. This project will cleanup over 22 acres of
contaminated land around Baltimore Harbor and use dredged material to
convert that area into a home for wildlife, a park, and a community center
to benefit local residents.
The MPA’s
dredged material placement program has successfully partnered with other
neighboring communities to identify sediment placement sites that have
enhanced the Chesapeake Bay and its adjacent lands. The Poplar Island
project is an award winning, nationally recognized beneficial use project
off the Eastern Shore. Another success story, Hart-Miller Island, has been
transformed into a recreational locale for boaters with a wildlife preserve
and habitat.
The MPA’s environmental awareness practices extend even past its
renowned dredging program. Last year, the MPA completed a fleet-wide
conversion of its diesel-powered vehicles and equipment from using low
sulfur diesel fuel to ultra-low sulfur and bio-diesel fuel. Also, the
MPA’s Green Schools program continues to be a success. Identified schools
have concrete pavement areas removed and replaced by grass, trees and
gardens. The new green spaces provide safer surfaces and more
aesthetically-pleasing environments for children to play. Barclay and
Curtis Bay elementary schools in Baltimore were recipients in 2007.
On the security
front, it is my goal to make the Port of Baltimore one of the most secure
ports in the nation. In 2007, the Port opened a new high-tech entrance and
departure point for trucks wishing to enter Port grounds. The system uses
real-time video feeds and security checks to instantly verify a trucker’s
identification and purpose of visit. It tells us whether a person
requires entry into the Port.
The MPA will
also activate a video surveillance system that will show real-time video at
its public terminals. The Port of Baltimore became one of the first U.S.
ports to receive radiation equipment used to screen containers. Also, the
Port now checks 100 percent of all imported containers for radiation. On
our terminals and on our waterways, we will continue to work with our
federal, state and local law enforcement partners to utilize the latest
technology to aggressively protect our port.
In cruise news,
this year the Port will welcome Norwegian Cruise Line for the cruise
season. Along with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, the Port of Baltimore now
is the home for two of the top three cruise lines in the world. Norwegian
will offer 10 seven-day cruises from Baltimore to Bermuda in 2008.
As we move
forward during the next four years, we will focus on measures that will
continue the positive momentum at the Port of Baltimore. Our key goals
include: the construction of a 50-foot berth to enhance our competitiveness;
a renewed focus on the niche markets outlined in our strategic business plan
that have served the Port so well in recent years; the attraction of more
cruises to increase cruise passenger traffic in Baltimore; and the use of
new technology and old-fashioned hard work to make the Port of Baltimore one
of the safest ports in the nation.
The Port of
Baltimore is stronger today than it has ever been. Whether you are talking
about business, the environment or security, our port has made impressive
strides. Yet, there is much more to do. As governor, I look forward to
working with the leadership at the port to continue the great work already
underway.
-- Governor Martin O’Malley
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