The Maryland Port Administration (MPA) today received the Presidential “E Star” Award for excellence in export service during a ceremony at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, DC with Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. The President’s “E Star” Award was created in 1969 to recognize continued recognition of noteworthy export promotion efforts. The MPA was awarded this special distinction for having a marked increase in exports over the last few years. This marks the third time that the MPA has received presidential recognition for its exports. The MPA won the “E” award in 1964 and in 2007. “I want to congratulate the Maryland Port Administration for receiving this tremendous honor,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Rising to the challenge of the National Export Initiative, exports through the Port of Baltimore’s public marine terminals have jumped nearly 23 percent in the past four years. This has helped the Port maintain its position as one of Maryland’s leading economic engines for thousands of good-paying, family-supporting jobs for more Maryland workers.” From Fiscal Year 2010 through Fiscal Year 2013, exports of general cargo from the Port’s public marine terminals increased 22.6 percent. General cargo is represented by containers, autos, roll on/roll off (farm and construction machinery), and forest products (rolled paper and wood pulp). In addition, the total export cargo tonnage from the public terminals is 52.2 percent higher than when the MPA won the “E” Award in 2007. Since that time, exports have increased from 36.5 percent to 38.3 percent of the total amount of general cargo from the public terminals.