Posted on March 24, 2026
By DredgeWire
The Port of Baltimore posted one of its strongest years on record in 2025, handling approximately 50 million tons of cargo, its second-best performance ever, trailing only the 52.3 million tons recorded in 2023.
Cargo moving through the port was valued at $65.6 billion, ranking 10th nationally in foreign cargo value. Baltimore also maintained its leadership in automobiles and roll-on/roll-off cargo, handling roughly 728,000 cars and light trucks and more than 887,000 tons of farm and construction equipment, a 6% increase year-over-year.
Despite these solid headline numbers, port officials stress that Baltimore remains in “rebound and recovery” mode following the March 26, 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, when the container ship Dali struck a support pier, killing six workers and shutting the main shipping channel for weeks.
“While the numbers are strong, we take a look at what those numbers could be if we did not have the accident,” said Maryland Port Administration Executive Director Jonathan Daniels.
Although full operations resumed by mid-June 2024, the disruption caused cargo losses across all commodities and forced shipping lines to temporarily shift to competing ports.
Below Pre-Collapse Levels
The port’s national standing underscores the gap. Baltimore ranked 9th in total tonnage in 2023, but has placed 11th for two consecutive years since the collapse.
“We still fell short. We’re not back in the top 10,” Daniels said.
Automobile volumes—long a core strength—also declined. The port handled 728,000 vehicles in 2025, down from 749,000 in 2024 and a record 847,000 in 2023.
Officials cited tariff uncertainty and shifting production decisions as additional headwinds affecting auto imports across U.S. ports.
Rising Competition and Path Forward
Competition has intensified, particularly from the Port of Brunswick, Georgia, which handled 779,000 vehicles in 2025, surpassing Baltimore for the second straight year.
Looking ahead, port leaders are focused on infrastructure investments to restore momentum. The Howard Street Tunnel expansion, expected to open soon, will enable double-stack container rail service and improve Midwest connectivity—seen as a major driver of future growth.
Additional projects include a new grain export facility and a planned container terminal at Tradepoint Atlantic.
Industry and labor leaders emphasize that recovery will be gradual.
“Baltimore is not back where it needs to be,” said ILA Local 333 President Scott Cowan. “We are open for business.”
