Posted on January 26, 2019
Dundalk by Day
Cargo loading cranes at the Sea Girt and Dundalk Marine Terminals along the northeast shore of the Northwest Branch of the Patapsco River towards the Inner Harbor and downtown Baltimore. Photo courtesy USDA
10th Consecutive Year Of Favorable Coast Guard Security Review
BALTIMORE — Dundalk and the five other public marine terminals at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore have again received a top rating on an annual security assessment from the U.S. Coast Guard for 2018. 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.
The commendation marks the tenth consecutive year of a top security rating for one of the nation’s most active ports. Newly inaugurated Gov. Larry Hogan, now in his second term, congratulated the hard work of all those involved in the Port’s security.
“The Port of Baltimore is one of the most productive and secure ports in the nation,” Hogan said. “Congratulations to everyone who had a role in this well-deserved recognition and everyone who continues to make the Port one of Maryland’s leading economic engines.”
The security announcement comes on the heels of a $2.4 million award from the Environmental Protection Agency to re-power marine engines and upgrade diesel dray trucks and cargo moving equipment. The funding should serve to further reduce emissions at the Port itself and in surrounding areas.
”This federal funding will support growth while significantly reducing emissions and building on the clean air progress that we have made,” said Hogan.
Last year the Port of Baltimore hosted the first North American GreenPort Congress conference, which brought maritime professionals from around the world together to discuss environmental initiatives and developments. The Port has also been recognized for its nationally-renowned dredged material management program, where sediment from shipping channels is reused to restore wetlands and eroding islands.
”The Maryland Department of the Environment thanks EPA for this smart investment in clean air around the Port and across the Baltimore area,” said Maryland Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles. “A green and thriving port contributes to a healthy Maryland economy while also continuing the clean air progress Maryland has made in recent years.”
In a letter to MDOT MPA Executive Director James J. White, Coast Guard Captain of the Port J.B. Loring said the Port Administration exceeded expectations. Loring referred specifically to the risk mitigation programs in place, and tipped his hat to the overall continued efforts to secure the six public Port terminals.
Each year, the Maryland Sector of the Coast Guard conducts a comprehensive inspection of the Port’s state-owned marine terminals. Officials check for procedural and material compliance as well as adherence to federal security regulations. The inspection is visual, and includes a review of access control procedures.
Coast Guard Sector Maryland officers also ensure the Port’s physical security fixtures, such as high-mast lighting and fencing are fully within federal regulations and security standards.
The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) oversees the Port of Baltimore’s public marine terminals and has continually upgraded and moved forward with risk mitigation and state-of-the-art security initiatives and enhancements. In recent years, this has included cyber security measures, closed circuit television, and stronger access control technologies.
The Port of Baltimore ranks first in the nation for several products that make American life possible, including automobiles and light trucks, roll-on-roll-off heavy farm and construction machinery, and even imported sugar. The Port ranks second in the nation for exported coal.
Business at the Port of Baltimore generates about 13,650 direct jobs, while about 127,600 jobs in Maryland are linked to its activities. The Port is responsible for nearly $3 billion in personal wages and salary and $310 million in state and local tax revenues.
Overall, the Port ranks ninth among all ports for the total dollar value of cargo and twelfth in foreign cargo tonnage.
Source: The Dundalk Eagle
