By Sydney Towns Edited by Siyana Randolph The Role of the Debris Collection System The debris collection system at the Port of Baltimore plays a vital role in maintaining both the operational safety and environmental health. This system removes floating waste, natural debris, and hazardous materials from the harbor waters to keep shipping channels clear. Without these continuous cleanup efforts the port would face congestion, safety risks, and ecological damage. The debris

By Emma DeMan Edited by Morgan White Ship-to-shore cranes arriving in Baltimore with tugs SURRIE MORAN, MARK MORAN, HARRIET MORAN, CAPE ROMAIN and a US Coast Guard cutter. (Courtesy of Moran Towing) The Port of Baltimore handles massive amounts of cargo every day, and the cranes at Seagirt Marine Terminal are the engines that make much of it possible. These Neo-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes are some of the most advanced cargo-handling machines in the world. Each crane can lif

By: Sarah Bisson Edited by: Siyana Randolph This article explores the properties, uses, and global movement of gypsum, focusing on its importation through the Port of Baltimore and its importance to U.S. construction and agriculture. Gypsum is a soft, white or colorless mineral composed of calcium, sulfur, oxygen, and water. It naturally forms in sedimentary rocks when mineral-rich water evaporates. Gypsum benefits humans, animals, and plants, and serves as a versatile materi

By Nishatur Ahmed Edited by Glenn T. Johnston The plague, often associated with the devastating Black Death that killed millions in Europe during the 1300s, is a serious bacterial illness that persists today, though it no longer poses the global threat it once did. Caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis , it is primarily transmitted through fleas that bite infected rodents, particularly rats, and can spread rapidly in humans, becoming deadly if untreated. While a handful of

By Nathan Foster Edited by Glenn T Johnston   If you think syphilis is a relic of dusty history books, think again. This centuries-old infection, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, is quietly climbing back into American cities, including Baltimore. And while it starts small, often with a painless sore most people never even notice, untreated syphilis can unfold into a years-long health crisis. In its early stages, the infection might show up as a faint rash or swolle

By Meagan Nwalozie Edited by Glenn T Johnston Yellow Fever Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the yellow fever virus and transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It is a serious illness caused by a virus that attacks the body's blood vessels and organs. In plain terms, this virus make tiny blood vessels leaky, disrupt blood's ability to clot properly, and damage multiple organs at once—like the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver. Originating in Africa, the

By Jacob Manley Edited by Glenn T. Johnston Michael Noble was a pig farmer in South Africa. He followed in the footsteps of several generations before him, keeping a small drove of pigs to support his family. One day, he noticed some of his pigs were acting lazier than usual and refused to eat. Thinking little of this, Michael carried on and continued to take care of his pigs as usual. Over the next several days, more of his drove began to behave the same way, and the first p

By Asha Martin Edited by G. Johnston Anthrax may sound like something from a history book, but it’s still a real concern today. This article explores how Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) emerged, how it affects the human body, and why it remains a concern. Even more importantly, it looks at what an anthrax incident would mean for Baltimore and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic region. By understanding its origins, its impact, and its potential to spread, we can see why anthrax still m

The olive oil transported by this ship could help feed a meal to more than 30 million people.

By Zander Wiley December 3, 2025 The Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center (BISC) is a small but essential nonprofit organization serving the Port of Baltimore. Located at 1430 Wallace Street in the Locust Point area, the center sits across from the Fort McHenry National Monument and is surrounded by the Locust Point Industrial Area and the Locust Point Marine Terminal. The Maryland Port Administration provides BISC the space it needs for its headquarters under attractive

By: E. Suarez Editor: Tessa Hanna (Wikimedia_Photo by Celeste) Ferrous alloys are mixed metals mostly made with iron, but then combined with other elements. Examples of resulting products include steel, titanium, cast iron, and stainless steel. These metals are durable, widely available, and affordable. There are ways to increase these traits, such as heat treatment, marking them as desirable options.  Import Quantities to the United States  In 2024, there were 2,935 shipment

By: Tommy Lowman Editor: Tessa Hanna USCG and sister agencies as well as commercial entities worked to mark and mitigate hazardous and environmental threats to vessels and people. (Picture from Coast Guard on google) The United States Coast Guard (USCG) plays a central role in maintaining environmental protection and safety within the Port of Baltimore. The Captain of the Port (COTP) serves as the leading authority for all maritime operations, enforcing federal regulations re

By: Kameron Chavers Editor: Tessa Hanna Kokosing mechanical dredging operation (Photo courtesy of Kokosing Marine)   Dredging is the process of clearing sediment and debris from the bottom of water bodies to maintain navigability, and is a vital operation that ensures the Port of Baltimore remains accessible for global trade. Without regular dredging, the Port of Baltimore would eventually wither away and die. Each scoop of sediment helps keep ships moving, thousands of jobs

By: Alexis Marsh Edited by: Siyana Randolph First designated as a port of entry in 1706, the Port of Baltimore is a major shipping port in Baltimore, Maryland. Within the port—and any other port—are many different parts that keep it functioning. Without even just one of these parts, the port would not operate as well. This article addresses various aspects of freight forwarding, including its function, location, and importance within the Port of Baltimore. Freight Forwarding

By: E. DeMan Edited by: Siyana Randolph Sodium Sulfite (Wikimedia_Photo by Adam Pliska_Milda 444) Sodium sulfite is a white, crystalline solid made from sodium, sulfur, and oxygen. It is not naturally found in the environment but is produced in laboratories or industrial facilities. One of the world’s main producers is Esseco, an Italian chemical company known for its focus on safety and sustainability. Sodium sulfite has many uses—it helps preserve food, purify water, proces

By: Z. Wiley Edited by: Siyana Randolph Roofing flux is a petroleum-based asphalt used almost exclusively in the construction of roofs for industrial, commercial, and residential buildings. It is primarily manufactured by Irving Oil, a company based in Saint John, Canada, that specializes in gasoline, oil, and natural gas products. The roofing flux imported into the United States originates at Irving Oil’s main refinery in Saint John. In addition to Irving, Bitumar Incorporat

By: A. Zadel Edited by: Siyana Randolph Lumber and timber are both wood-based material products. Timber refers to wood that has been cut down but not yet processed, while lumber describes wood that has been milled and cut into boards or planks for use as building material. Examples of lumber include dimensional wood such as 2x4s, plywood, hardwood flooring, and particleboard. These products are made from many species and come from sources around the world. Wood products bein

By: Faith Kamara Edited By: Siyana Randolph Description Asphalt is a material composed of granular materials such as sand or crushed stone. and bitumen, a petroleum-derived binder that gives asphalt its waterproof properties. When bitumen and aggregate are mixed together at high temperatures, the result is asphalt. Asphalt has been used by civilizations for thousands of years. originally asphalt was used for waterproofing and as an adhesive. Today, it is most commonly used in

By Madeleine Kersch Edited by Hannah Hornberger Coal is a combustible black sedimentary rock composed primarily of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It forms from the remains of plants that were buried beneath the surface and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years. Coal is predominantly used as an energy source, particularly for electricity generation and industrial processes. There are four main types of coal, classified based on their carbon content, energy value

By: Caitlyn McIntosh Edited by: Siyana Randolph Protecting the Port from Hidden Threats Every day, thousands of containers arrive at the Port of Baltimore loaded with goods from around the world. Hidden among them could be insects, seeds, or plant diseases capable of threatening American agriculture. The first line of defense against these invisible invaders is the team of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agricultural specialists who inspect shipments and stop harmful