BALTIMORE, MD - The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore handled 8,019,919 tons of general cargo at its public marine terminals through the first nine months of 2017, crushing the previous nine-month calendar year mark from January through September in 2016 of 7,466,877 tons.  The Port’s record pace was led by containers which has had a 11 percent jump over its record year in 2016.   During the recently completed third quarter of 2017, the Port of Baltimore had a 14.5 percent jump in general cargo tons from the third quarter of 2016, a larger increase than several competing ports. “The Port is a leading economic engine for the City of Baltimore and our state, and its continued success is further proof that Maryland is open for business,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Our administration remains committed to ensuring that the Port remains one of the top ports in the nation.” The Port of Baltimore was the fourth fastest-growing port in North America in 2016, with a 9.8 percent increase in the amount of cargo handled from the previous year, according to the Journal of Commerce (JOC). The JOC ranking came on the heels of several other achievements and a record-setting 2016, in which the port’s public marine terminals surpassed 10 million tons of general cargo for the first time and handled a record number of containers, 538,567.   The Port has also been recognized as one of the most efficient ports in the U.S. for the last few years.  The Port of Baltimore has handled more cars and farm and construction equipment than any other U.S. port for several years.  Combining both the public and private marine terminals, the Port of Baltimore saw 31.8 million tons of international cargo cross its docks last year which was valued at approximately $49.9 billion.  Baltimore is ranked as the top port among all U.S. ports for handling autos and light trucks, farm and construction machinery, imported gypsum, imported sugar, and imported aluminum. Overall Baltimore is ranked ninth for the total dollar value of cargo and 14th for cargo tonnage for all U.S. ports. Business at the Port of Baltimore generates about 13,650 direct jobs, while about 127,600 jobs in Maryland are linked to Port activities.  The Port is responsible for nearly $3 billion in personal wages and salary and more than $300 million in state and local tax revenues.