Cargo volumes continued an upward trend through the third quarter of 2023 for key targeted commodities at Maryland’s Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore. From January through September at the Port’s state-owned terminals, roll on/roll off farm and construction machinery recorded a 28 percent increase compared to 2022, container volumes rose six percent, and overall general cargo was up three percent. All those increases are up over record numbers achieved in 2022.

“A growing, thriving port is essential to expand our state’s economy, and the Port of Baltimore’s outstanding labor force, first-class facilities and reputation for service are delivering every day for businesses and customers here in Maryland, across the nation, and around the world,” said Governor Wes Moore.

Last year, the Port of Baltimore saw a record $74.3 billion worth of foreign cargo cross its state-owned and private piers. Baltimore handled 43.3 million tons of cargo in 2022 – nearly matching its record of 44.2 million tons in 2019. The 2019 milestone came before the international maritime shipping industry felt severe impacts from the global pandemic.

“The Port of Baltimore has been an outstanding, reliable economic engine for Maryland even as the international maritime landscape has endured tremendous change and challenge in recent years,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “The rebound and the continuing growth are due to our reputation for customer service, our state-of-the-art infrastructure and our reliability to bring goods to market. The industry knows it can count on Maryland’s Port of Baltimore.”

“Our supply chain is second to none,” said Maryland Port Administration (MPA) Interim Acting Executive Director Brian Miller. “In addition to our highly-skilled labor force, our numerous local distribution, warehousing, and sorting center facilities make us a very attractive option for cargo owners when they can choose where to send their goods.”

The Port of Baltimore generates about 15,300 direct jobs, with nearly 140,000 jobs overall linked to Port activities. The port is first among the nation’s ports for autos and light truck volume, roll on/roll off farm and construction machinery, and imported gypsum and is responsible for nearly $3.3 billion in personal wages and salaries, $2.6 billion in business revenue and nearly $400 million in state and local tax revenue annually.

The Port of Baltimore’s cruise business has also had a very successful 2023. In September, the Port welcomed its third major international cruising partner, Norwegian Cruise Line, to Baltimore. Norwegian is currently sailing a fall and winter schedule and joins year-round Baltimore cruise providers Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise lines in offering voyages to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, New England, and Canada.