Posted on April 17, 2023
Ports America, the largest marine terminal operator and stevedore in the United States, today announced the appointment of Mark Schmidt as the Vice President and General Manager of its Port of Baltimore location.
Schmidt has over 30 years of experience working at Baltimore’s waterfront, holding a variety of different roles within Ports America. Schmidt has held positions in management, operations, and commercial expansions including roll/on-roll/off cargo (RoRo), of which the Port of Baltimore ranks first in the nation. Schmidt has overseen pivotal projects that have expanded the capacity of Seagirt Marine Terminal including the modernization of its fourth berth (Berth IV), which now accommodates eight state-of-the-art Neo Panamax cranes, two 50-foot-deep berths and the ability to accommodate two Neo Panamax container ships simultaneously.
Additionally, Schmidt worked closely with the Maryland Port Administration supporting relationships with beneficial cargo holders. Schmidt is on the board of the Steamship Trade Association of Baltimore and a member of the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center, Baltimore Port Alliance and North Atlantic Ports Association.
Working closely with Ports America President and CEO Matthew Leech, Schmidt will continue to uphold its long-standing partnership with the State of Maryland, Maryland Port Administration, and the International Longshoreman Association.
“Given Mark Schmidt’s connection to the local community and to Ports America’s teams in Baltimore, I am excited at his willingness to take on this transformative endeavor to lead the business into the future,” said Leech. “I look forward to the opportunities ahead for us.”
“I congratulate Mark Schmidt in his new position at Ports America Chesapeake,” said Maryland Port Administration – Port of Baltimore Executive Director William P. Doyle. “Mark’s more than 30 years of experience as well as his intricate knowledge of the Port of Baltimore and Seagirt Marine Terminal will make for a seamless transition. Mark knows our market well, has developed strong working relationships with our supply chain team, and has been very active within our port community for years. I look forward to continuing to work closely with him and know he will do an outstanding job.”
“My time and experience at the Port of Baltimore have allowed me to fully observe the intricacies of Seagirt Marine Terminal. It’s my goal to both uphold Port of Baltimore’s status as the leading eCommerce gateway on the East Coast and prepare our facility to maximize supply chain efficiencies ahead of the Howard Street Tunnel expansion,” said Schmidt. “I aim to do so while minimizing our carbon footprint, supporting a strong workforce and maintaining our safety, security, and cargo records.”
The Port of Baltimore has maintained record container volume growth over the last few years despite pandemic-related international supply chain challenges. Ports America’s Baltimore location has industry-leading safety records and ranks first in the nation for volume of autos and light trucks, RoRo, and imported gypsum. It ranks 11th among major U.S. ports for foreign cargo handled and ninth for total foreign cargo value.
About Ports America
Ports America is the largest marine terminal operator in North America with operations in 70 locations and 33 ports across the United States. The company is a leader in technology driven solutions and covers a wide range of supply chain services including container, RoRo, breakbulk, military, and cruise ship operations. Ports America is based in Jersey City, New Jersey.
