Governor Martin O’Malley announced that the Port of Baltimore continues to demonstrate tremendous progress despite a challenging global economy. Buoyed by a strong year in 2010, the Port of Baltimore now ranks 11th nationally (up from 12th) for the total dollar value of cargo and 13th (up from 15th) for the amount of cargo tonnage handled, according to recent statistics released by the U.S. Census. There are roughly 360 ports in the United States. In calendar year 2010, the total dollar value of cargo coming through the Port of Baltimore was $41.5 billion, a 37 percent jump from 2009, while the amount of foreign commerce through the Port’s public and private terminals was 33 million tons, a 47 percent increase from the previous year. “The Port’s public-private partnership that we entered into in 2009 is helping us make progress by creating and saving jobs in this new economy,” said Governor O’Malley. “We are pleased that the Port continues to move up in rankings as companies around the world realize that Baltimore provides a quality gateway for doing business.” Among individual commodities, the Port of Baltimore jumped to number one for trucks (ranked second in 2009), imported salt (sixth in 2009), and imported iron ore (second in 2009). Baltimore remained the number one port in the nation for handling roll on/roll off cargo (farm and construction machinery), imported forest products, imported gypsum, and imported sugar. The Port moved up from third to second for autos, exported coal and imported aluminum. “While a more favorable worldwide economic climate is a contributing factor, the Port of Baltimore has also been able to rebound because of its high productivity, outstanding labor, and geographic advantage placing us closer to the Midwest than other eastern ports,” said Maryland Port Administration Executive Director James J. White. “Throughout the economic downturn, we were able to maintain and grow market share in several key categories. That too is a significant reason for these positive results.” Through the first six months of 2011 compared to the first six months of 2010, general cargo through the Port’s public marine terminals is up 14 percent. Among cargos, roll on/roll off is up 51 percent, autos are up 10 percent, containers are up nine percent, and paper is up six percent. Activities at the Port of Baltimore generate 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.