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 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: 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: 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: 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

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 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 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 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 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

By Candace Kalitsi Edited by Hannah Hornberger Shapiro Domestic Freight (Courtesy of Shapiro) Just a few blocks from the Port of Baltimore's busy terminals stands Samuel Shapiro & Company, Inc., a firm that has helped move goods around the world for more than a century. Founded in 1915, Shapiro began as a small family business and has grown into one of Baltimore's most respected freight-forwarding and customs-broking companies. Today, its headquarters at McHenry Row in Locu

By Mckenna Schmidl Edited by Hannah Hornberger Vane Brothers tug DELAWARE with a bunkering barge alongside a cargo ship at its berth. (Photo courtesy of Vane Brothers) Bunkering is the process of supplying ships with fuel while they are docked or anchored in port. In the Port of Baltimore, bunkering ensures that vessels have the fuel necessary to continue their voyages efficiently and safely. The city’s major bunkering operations are managed by Vane Brothers, a company found

By Elisabeth Suarez Edited by Corey Cherenfant TRADEPOINT Logo at Sparrows Point (Photo by Elisabeth Suarez) In 2023, the Port of Baltimore handled 52.3 million tons of cargo , worth $80 billion . Warehousing plays a major role in how the port operates because it helps connect global companies with businesses across the country and keeps the whole supply chain running smoothly. Approximately 130 warehousing companies operate in the Port of Baltimore. Warehousing includes

By Madeleine Kersch Edited by Hannah Hornberger USACE Baltimore Logo (DoD) The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a federal agency that provides engineering expertise in support of national defense, civil works, and environmental sustainability. Although part of the U.S. Army, its mission extends to a wide range of civil, military, and environmental projects. The Corps traces its origins to 1775, when George Washington appointed the first engineer officers durin

By Sarah Bisson Edited by Corey Cherenfant Pilot on pilot's ladder (Port of Baltimore) History Founded in 1852, the Association of Maryland Pilots is the oldest pilot organization officially recognized by a state in the entire country. The current president, Captain Eric A. Nielsen, graduated as valedictorian from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1981 and served ten years in the Navy Reserves. He joined the Association in 1989 and became president in 2000. Today, the group

By Ella Madzarac Edited by Miya Reed Maintaining the structural integrity and operational efficiency of ships is a critical aspect of maritime engineering. Like cities afloat, ships require regular maintenance and repair to ensure safety, functionality, and durability. These repairs encompass a range of activities, including inspections, hull and engine repairs, electrical maintenance, interior upkeep, and exterior painting. Additionally, repair methods—such as dry docking or

By: Sean Dwyer Edited by: Morgan White The Seagirt Marine Terminal is one of the most important parts of the Port of Baltimore. Located along the Patapsco River, it keeps container cargo moving smoothly in and out of the city. With deep-water berths, large cranes, and direct access to rail and truck routes, it serves as a major East Coast gateway.  Seagirt's 50-foot-deep berths allow it to handle post-Panamax ships, which are among the largest container vessels in the world.

By Glenn T. Johnston In the wake of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the closing of the maritime Port of Baltimore, several NOAA programs deployed to Baltimore. These teams helped establish auxiliary navigation channels and restore limited vessel traffic along the Patapsco River. The auxiliary channels would serve as alternate routes for shallow-draft vessels to pass around the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. From left to right, Michael Bloom (Physic

By Glenn T Johnston Navigable waterways free of drift and debris are crucial to the continued operation of any maritime port. While many small craft operate to remove solid surface pollutants brought into waterways through storm water, maritime littering, and illegal dumping, it takes a special craft to remove large drift hazards such as trees. The Port of Baltimore is protected from those kinds of floating hazards by the US Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District debris v

By Glenn T. Johnston U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited the Port of Baltimore in 2021 and recognized the port’s close relationship with the US Maritime Security Program (MSP). During that visit we learned the Port of Baltimore is a major gateway for several Maritime Security Program enrolled vessels and that MSP companies American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier Company, Liberty Maritime Corporation and Waterman Logistics/SEACOR all call on the Port of Baltimore. C