Record year for Port of Baltimore

According to foreign trade data compiled by the US Census Bureau, foreign general cargo at Baltimore’s terminals rose from 8.8m tons in 2005 to 9.3m tons in 2006. As well as being the first time that general cargo tonnage exceeded 9m tons, it was the fifth consecutive record year overall for general cargo tonnage. General cargo is handled at the six MPA public terminals – Dundalk, Seagirt, North Locust Point, South Locust Point, Fairfield, and Masonville – as well as at several private terminals.

Total foreign cargo moving through the Port of Baltimore was 30.6m tons, making 2006 the third straight year that the port has exceeded 30m tons. “Business at the Port has never been stronger,” said MPA executive director Brooks Royster.

In the most recent national cargo rankings of 361 US ports, Baltimore is ranked number one for ro-ro cargo, trucks, gypsum imports and iron ore imports. Overall, it is ranked 12th nationally for total dollar value of cargo and 14th for total foreign cargo handled.