By Mia Johnson Edited by Siyana Randolph Description Drayage is a transportation method that uses vehicles to transfer goods to warehouses or other local locations. From these locations, the goods are transported to end users. Without drayage services, the supply chain would break down, and freight would not reach its destination. If drayage were removed from the port’s operations, it would have immediate effects in the city, the state, and the rest of the country. Store shel

By Caitlyn McIntosh Edited by Ashley Fogarty Paulaner is a family-owned German brewery that traces its roots back to 1634 in Munich. For nearly four centuries, the Paulaner name has been associated with high-quality beer and a deep brewing tradition. Today, over 2 million hectoliters of Paulaner beer leave the Munich brewery each year, reaching drinkers in more than 80 countries around the world—including those whose imports arrive through the Port of Baltimore. A hectoliter

By R. Wisniewski Edited by Miya Reed McAllister Towing of Baltimore is a crucial player within the Port of Baltimore’s daily operations. Located at 1201 A Wallace Street in the Locust Point neighborhood, McAllister Towing provides tugboat services essential for the safe docking and undocking of large vessels such as container ships, bulk carriers, and cruise ships. These operations ensure that maritime traffic flows safely and efficiently through one of the busiest and most s

By E. J. Lowry Edited by Siyana Randolph Molasses is a thick, dark syrup derived as a natural byproduct of sugar production from crushed sugar cane or sugar beets. During the sugar-making process the plant juice is boiled to form crystals, leaving behind the syrup that becomes molasses. Depending on the number of boiling cycles, different types result: light molasses from the first boil, dark molasses from the second, and blackstrap molasses from the third—each darker and les

By Justin Allen Edited by Siyana Randolph The Baltimore Port Alliance (BPA) is a nonprofit organization that connects public and private stakeholders involved in the Port of Baltimore. Established in 1982, the BPA works to improve communication among shipping companies, port employees, government agencies, and community representatives. Its primary mission is to promote collaboration, safety, and workforce development throughout Maryland’s maritime industry. What the Baltimor

By Garrett Wiebking Edited by Siyana Randolph On October 14, Baltimore's Seagirt Terminal handled 4,438 trucks. The most ever in one day. (Port of Baltimore Facebook) Drayage refers to the short-distance transport of freight between ports, rail terminals, warehouses, and distribution centers. The word originates from 'dray,' a low, flat cart pulled by horses in early freight operations. Over time, the term evolved to describe short-haul trucking that links different modes of

By Kiana Shirley Edited by Ashley Fogarty The ILA (International Longshoremen’s Association) Local 333 represents Baltimore’s longshoremen—dockworkers responsible for the movement of cargo between ships and shore facilities. Headquartered at 6610-B Tributary Street, Baltimore, Maryland, the union has long played a central role in the operation of the Port of Baltimore. Its president, Scott Cowan, leads an organization dedicated to improving the working and living conditions o

By T. Lowman Edited by Ashley Fogarty Wamara wood is a medium reddish-brown to purplish-black hardwood, often marked by prominent darker stripes. It typically has a straight grain, though irregular or interlocked patterns also occur. The wood has a fine, even texture, a natural luster, and produces little odor when worked. Native to the tropical rainforests of South America—particularly Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname—wamara is valued for its durability and strength. While many

By JaMiya Thompson Edited by Morgan White Port of Baltimore Logo (MPA) The Maryland Port Administration (MPA) runs the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest shipping hubs on the East Coast. Its job is to keep goods moving smoothly through the port while boosting Maryland’s economy. The agency focuses on creating jobs, increasing cargo throughput, and keeping Baltimore competitive in global trade. Every shipment the port handles—from cars to timber—helps businesses, workers, a

By Jayla Diamond Edited by Miya Reed Guiding the Giants: Maryland’s Maritime Pilots Association of Maryland Pilots Logo (Courtesy of Association of Maryland Pilots) For more than 170 years, the Association of Maryland Pilots has safeguarded navigation through the Chesapeake Bay and into the Port of Baltimore. Established in 1852, it is the oldest state-chartered pilot association in the United States. Its members are among the most skilled mariners in the world—experts who gu

By Meghan Davis  Edited by Ashley Fogarty Manganese ore (Photo by USGS) Manganese ore arrives in the Port of Baltimore in two forms: 1) milled manganese ore, and 2) manganese fines. The major difference between the two is the amount they are processed before arriving in the port . Milled manganese ore (also called ground or powdered manganese ore) is mechanically ground to reduce it to a very fine powder. This can achieve particle sizes as small as <0.1 mm or finer, about

In 2024, the Port of Baltimore received 15 shipments of roofing flux, all originating in Canada. The material was delivered to asphalt terminals and blending facilities that supply roofing manufacturers throughout Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region. Major recipients included Bitumar USA and Irving Oil.

By C. Kalitsi Edited by Ashley Fogarty Antimony ingot 16 kgs (Wikimedia GNU CC by Saperaud) What are Antimony Ingots? Antimony is a silvery-white element that most people have never seen, but the Port of Baltimore quietly handles vast amounts of it every year. In 2024, 79 shipments delivered more than 4.9 million pounds (2,450 US tons) of this metal. Those 2,450 tons of antimony metal would fill 61 fully loaded semi-trucks (18 wheelers). In a convoy, those 61 trucks would st

By L. Eaton Edited by Miya Reed Lamborghini Huracan offloading from ship in Baltimore. (Port of Baltimore) The Lamborghini Huracán, whose name means “hurricane” in Spanish, is a powerful and stylish sports car known for its striking design and top-level performance. It features a 5.2-liter V10 engine that produces more than 600 horsepower, delivering an exciting and precise driving experience. Its design—with sharp lines and Y-shaped headlights—makes it instantly recognizable

By Sean Dwyer Edited by Miya Reed Domino Sugar plant and sign in Baltimore Inner Harbor with a sugar ship and two barges unloading. (Photo by Glenn T Johnston) Introduction Raw cane sugar, as it arrives in the Port of Baltimore, is an intermediate product extracted from the juice of the sugarcane plant during the first stage of processing. After harvesting, the cane stalks are crushed to extract juice, which is then filtered, boiled, and crystallized to form coarse brown sug

By Camille Tillman Edited by Ashley Fogarty Boat being unloaded from ship. (Courtesy of Neoline) The Port of Baltimore is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading ports for vehicle imports, including automobiles, trucks, and heavy equipment. It also plays an important role in the importation of recreational vessels. Motorboats are watercraft powered by internal combustion engines or electric motors. They are typically classified as inboard or outboard vessels, dependi

By Meghan Davis Edited by Corey Cherenfant US Coast Guard crew members ready aids to navigation buoys following orders from the Captain of the Port to open a second channel after the Key Bridge collapse in March 2024. (USCG) The current Captain of the Port of Baltimore is Captain Pat C. Burkett. He took command in June 2024, not long after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed. Captain Burkett has served in a variety of senior operational and regulatory roles in the U.S. Coa

By Camille Tillman Edited by Miya Reed Both Baltimore City Fireboats Pumping Water at a 4-Alarm Blaze Adjacent to Seagirt Terminal. (Courtesy of Baltimore City Fireboat Station Facebook) Location The fire station, home to the fireboats that operate in Baltimore, is located near Fort McHenry on the eastern tip of Locust Point, which provides speedy access to the Patapsco River and Baltimore Harbor. Functions Fireboats, powered by marine diesel engines, are equipped with severa

By Emmalynn Kohl  Edited by Ashley Fogarty Sodium Metabisulfite From: Wikipedia Through the Port of Baltimore flow vast quantities of commodities, both in number and in weight, crucial to our daily lives. One of the most significant, because of its many applications within our culture, is sodium metabisulfite. It is an inorganic compound composed of sodium, sulfur, and oxygen , with widespread industrial and commercial applications . Although not a household name, it is wel

By Gabriella Parker Edited by Hannah Hornberger The Jones Act came at a time when US shipbuilding was increasing. (US National Archives) The Deepwater Port Act of 1974 and the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly known as the Jones Act, are two significant pieces of legislation that have shaped the maritime industry in the United States. These acts play crucial roles in regulating the construction, operation, and maintenance of the maritime facilities and vessels, thereby en