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

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

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: 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: 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 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 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 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 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 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

Original: Christina Williams  Editor: Morgan White Rubber journey from China to Baltimore. This graphic depicts a shipment of rubber that departed a port in Ningbo, China, crossed the Pacific Ocean, was transhipped to another vessel in the Panama Canal Zone, and ended its voyage in the Port of Baltimore. (Searates) Rubber is everywhere in daily life, often without us even noticing. From tires to gloves, erasers to conveyor belts, it keeps industries and households running smo

By Matthew Olean Edited by Corey Cherenfant 15 April 2025 Frozen Snakehead (Channa) Snakehead is a name used for many fish in the Channidae family, which includes more than 21 species found in Asia and tropical Africa, and now, Chesapeake Bay. These fish grow to about 33 inches long as adults and can weigh up to ten pounds on average. They have long, narrow bodies, small teeth, and spotted scales that look a bit like a leopard’s coat. One of the most unusual things about this

By Mckenna Schmidl Edited by Corey Cherenfant Spring 2025 Cane sugar, Saccharum officinarum. By Franz Eugen Köhler. (Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) Sugar has helped shape Baltimore’s identity for more than 300 years. When established as a port by Maryland's government in 1706, Baltimore served as a port for exporting tobacco and importing other goods, specifically sugar. Legal records reflect sugar's import into Baltimore as early as 1712.

By J. Diamond Edited By C. Cherenfant S2025 Paul Reed Smith founded PRS Guitars in 1985, and the company quickly became known for combining exceptional craftsmanship with fresh, creative design. Smith built his first guitar as a college project, and that instrument still hangs in the PRS Guitars store lobby today. He spent the next several years refining his craft, and it was with a later model that he approached Carlos Santana and other professional musicians. The rest is hi

By S. Towns Edited By C. Cherenfant Spring 2025 Slag isn’t something most people picture when they think about the Port of Baltimore, but a surprising amount of it comes through the port every year. According to the ImportInfo trade database, the port received seven bulk shipments of slag in 2024. Maryland Port Administration records reflect that the Port of Baltimore received about 354,000 U.S. tons of slag that year, closely matching the delivery weight of the seven bulk s

By Glenn T Johnston There are very few beaches along Baltimore's waterfront that have 100-meters of uninterrupted sand and gravel. A beach like that provides optimal conditions for monitoring marine debris. Of the three beaches meeting that criteria, only one, Ferry Bar Park, is positioned to catch debris flowing out of the Patapsco River and Gwynns Falls. Located in the Middle Branch sector of the harbor, the park is at the southern tip of Baltimore Peninsula (Port Covingto