Port of Baltimore's first half tonnage surpasses record set in 2008

THE Port of Baltimore handled a record 4.8 million tonnes of general cargo, such as containers, autos, forest products and roll on/roll off equipment in the first half of the year, surpassing its previous record of 4.7 million tonnes set in the first six months of 2008.

The new record is also a 10 per cent jump from the first half of 2011 when the port handled 4.4 million tonnes of cargo, according to American Shipper.

The Port of Baltimore's public marine terminals handled 8.89 million tonnes of general cargo last year, a nine per cent increase from 2010 and just shy of the all-time record of 8.96 tonnes set in 2008. Including bulk cargo, the port achieved a 15 per cent increase in tonnage, to 37.8 million tonnes, worth US$51.4 billion.

Last year, coal processing at the port grew 38.5 per cent, to 19.2 million tonnes. The port could find it difficult to equal last year's tonnage amount in 2012 due to nationwide decreases in coal production and coal exports.

During the first half of this year, the port terminals saw a 36 per cent increase in roll on/roll off vehicles and equipment (measured in tonnes); a 27 per cent increase in the number of automobiles (units); and a 7 per cent increase in containers (measured in tonnes).

Baltimore is one of the most diversified ports in the nation in terms of its commodity mix, which includes sugar, iron ore, gypsum, salt, and aluminum.