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Seven Consecutive Years of Excellence

[ November 27, 2015   //   ]

For the seventh consecutive year, the public marine terminals at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore received a top rating of ‘excellent’ on a security assessment from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard conducts annual and thorough examinations of the Port’s six public marine terminals: Dundalk, Seagirt, North Locust Point, South Locust Point (including the cruise passenger terminal), Fairfield and Masonville.

“Striking a successful balance between a free-flowing movement of cargo and a strong security program is not easy,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “This recognition combined with the port’s readiness today to handle the biggest ships in the world proves the future is very bright. I congratulate all the men and women at the Port of Baltimore who work very hard every day to make certain our port is a safe and secure place to conduct business.”

Each year Coast Guard Sector Baltimore conducts a comprehensive inspection of the port’s public marine terminals to ensure they are within compliance of federal security regulations. The visual inspection includes a review of access control procedures and makes certain that physical security fixtures, such as high-mast lighting and fencing are up to federal security standards.

The Maryland Port Administration (MPA), which oversees the Port of Baltimore’s public marine terminals, has moved forward in recent years with many new security initiatives and enhancements including closed circuit television, cyber security, and access control.

”The success of this year’s exam was due in large measure to the outstanding professionalism, commitment and dedication exhibited by the Port’s Security Department,” said U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Lonnie P. Harrison, Jr., in a letter to MPA Executive Director James J. White. “I appreciate and commend these efforts as they greatly enhance our ability to meet our mutual goal of maintaining the safety and security of the Port of Baltimore.”

The Port of Baltimore’s public marine terminals had a record year in 2014 and overall the Port saw 29.5 million tons of international cargo cross its docks at a value of nearly $53 billion. Baltimore is ranked as the top port among all U.S. ports for handling autos and light trucks, farm and construction machinery, imported forest products, imported sugar and imported aluminum. Overall, Baltimore is ranked ninth for the total dollar value of cargo and 13th for cargo tonnage for all U.S. ports. Earlier this year the Port of Baltimore was named as the top U.S. port for container berth productivity by a leading industry media company.

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