Introduction to Warehousing
- Holt Hendershot
- Dec 1, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 24
By Elisabeth Suarez
Edited by Corey Cherenfant
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 both the planning and physical work needed to store and move goods at different points in the supply chain, including near factories and industrial sites. Many products sit in warehouses for long periods before they are sold. One type of warehouse, called a container freight station, stores goods in shipping containers before they are exported or sent inland for distribution.
Importance of Warehousing
Warehousing is important to port operations because it allows companies to store their goods at the port rather than at separate distribution centers farther away. This saves time and money. Without warehouses, goods would have to be sent to inland facilities immediately, which would create additional costs and delays.
As global trade has grown, customer expectations have also changed. E-commerce companies like Amazon and the push for “same-day delivery” have made people expect faster service. Having warehouses at or near the port helps businesses meet these demands by speeding up the journey from ship to consumer.
Advantages of Being Located in Baltimore
Businesses that store goods at the Port of Baltimore benefit from the city’s location. Baltimore is within a day’s drive of nearly one-third of the U.S. population and close to major cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
The port also has deep berths capable of handling large ships, making it one of the top U.S. ports for roll-on/roll-off cargo. Many of its warehouses are refrigerated, which is important for products like food and drinks that need temperature control.
Facilities
Several major warehousing companies operate at the Port of Baltimore. One is Baltimore
International Warehousing and Transportation, located between Seagirt Marine Terminal and Tradepoint Atlantic. This 300,000-square-foot facility has an alarm system, 24/7 cameras, sprinklers, and 37 dock doors. It serves as a container freight station, a container examination site, and a bonded warehousing proprietor. Its services include import and export consolidation, packing and crating, cross-docking, transloading, palletizing, and stretch wrapping.
Of the services listed above, cross-docking warrants further discussion, as it is not a common term. Cross-docking is a simple concept. In its most basic form, it is when freight is unloaded from one vehicle, immediately loaded onto another, and departs the warehouse without being stacked or stored. It is a logistics technique used to accelerate deliveries and increase supply chain efficiency. Companies use cross-docking to consolidate products from multiple suppliers, break down bulk shipments into smaller lots, and reorganize items for efficient delivery. This effort often pays off in multiple ways: Companies can deliver products faster, minimize the need for warehouse space, optimize inventory control, and reduce transportation and labor costs.
Another major operator is Rukert Terminals, which offers 1.3 million square feet of storage and can handle a wide range of ship types, including bulk carriers, general cargo vessels, roll-on/roll-off ships, and barges. Rukert has 26 facilities and uses its own software to manage inventory, orders, invoicing, and bills of lading. The company also has 56 acres of outdoor storage and 40 loading docks, all protected by security systems.
B&E Storage and Transfer provides 300,000 square feet of temperature- and humidity-controlled storage. The facility includes a secure customer entry system, 24-hour surveillance, and 50 truck docks. Other warehousing companies in the Port of Baltimore include Ace Logistics, Sky Harbor Warehousing, Charm City Warehouse, BWC Terminals, and Tradepoint Atlantic.
In 2022, East Coast Warehouse & Distribution Corporation expanded into Baltimore by purchasing the former Temp-Distribution of Maryland site on Hollins Ferry Road. The 275,000-square-foot facility uses half its space for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s container examination operations, helping combine shipping and inspection functions at the port.
Warehousing is a key part of the Port of Baltimore’s logistics network. It helps goods move smoothly from ships into storage and then on to customers across the country. With its strong location, modern facilities, and close connection to customs and freight operations, Baltimore’s warehousing industry strengthens the region’s role as an important hub in the global supply chain.
