The Port of Baltimore exported a record amount of coal and imported a record amount of salt in 2010, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Census and analyzed by Global Trade Atlas. More than 13.8 million tons of coal left Baltimore’s piers last year surpassing the previous record of 12.8 million tons set in 1981. The Port imported 1.8 million tons of salt in 2010 breaking the former mark of 1.4 million tons set in 1994. Both coal and salt are commodities that are handled by the Port’s private marine terminals. CNX and CSX terminals export coal, while salt is imported primarily by Rukert Terminals.

“Each time a ship comes to the Port of Baltimore, it means more than just more business, it means jobs,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “These record import/export figures are good news for the Port and good news for the more than 16,000 thousand men and women who depend on the Port to support their families.”

China, which was the Port of Baltimore’s top trading partner in 2010 for total exported cargo, was also the Port’s top destination for coal exports. China received 24 percent of the coal exported from Baltimore, followed by South Korea and the Netherlands. Coal is used as an energy generator and key component in producing steel.

In 2010, Chile, Mexico, and Egypt produced the most salt that headed to the Port of Baltimore. Chile produced 65 percent of the Port’s imported salt. The salt is used as road salt for treating highways and roads during the winter months. It is also used as an industrial chemical.

Last year the Port of Baltimore’s public and private terminals handled 33 million tons of foreign commerce, a 47 percent increase over 2009. The total dollar value of cargo coming through the Port was $41.5 billion, a 37 percent jump from 2009. The Port is ranked 11th nationally for the total dollar value of cargo and 13th for the amount of cargo tonnage handled out of 44 port districts in the U.S.

Recently it was announced that the Port of Baltimore had a record first half of 2011 for cars by handling 538,000 tons of autos, which was more international auto tonnage than any other U.S. port.

Out of about 360 U.S. ports, the Port of Baltimore ranks as the top port in the nation for handling farm and construction machinery, trucks, imported forest products, imported gypsum, imported sugar, imported salt, and imported iron ore. It ranks second in the U.S. for exported coal, exported autos and imported aluminum.

Business at the Port of Baltimore generates about 16,700 direct jobs, while about 120,000 jobs in Maryland are linked to port activities. The Port is responsible for $3.7 billion in personal wages and salary and nearly $400 million in state and local taxes.