Maersk

The emergence of new trade routes and an improving world economy have prompted a significant expansion of steamship service at the port of Baltimore this year, with the increase already exceeding last year's total growth.The boom comes as companies capitalize on new trade opportunities, particularly in South America and Southeast Asia, where governments are easing trade restrictions as their own economies develop.Monday, for instance, Maersk Line will start service from Baltimore to the eastern coast of South America, calling on Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela.

The port of Baltimore has been selected as the mid-Atlantic port of call for a new consolidated service by three of the world's largest containership lines.The new service -- combining existing ones offered by Maersk Line, P&O Containers Ltd. and Sea-Land Service Inc. -- would result in weekly service starting in April between Baltimore and ports in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and India, according to the Maryland Port Administration.MPA officials said the inclusion of Sea-Land in the joint venture would, for the first time, give Baltimore a regular American-flagged carrier going to the Middle East.

Maersk Line of Denmark, already one of the biggest shipping lines in the port of Baltimore, plans to increase calls here by 25 percent as a result of the company's decision to expand service to South America.Starting in January, Maersk will route three containerships through Baltimore on their trips from New York to the West Coast of South America and back.That will add 24 more regular calls a year -- roughly one every two weeks -- at the port of Baltimore."It means new ships coming into the port, and that provides hours of labor for the bay pilots and the longshoremen in the port, plus business for truckers and rails," said Adrian G. Teel, executive director of the Maryland Port Administration.

Maryland port officials hope that the port of Baltimore will reap a cargo windfall from an agreement under discussion by two of the port's most important steamship lines, Maersk and Orient Overseas Container Line.Neither Maersk nor OOCL has confirmed an agreement, but if a deal has been reached, both lines are likely to revise their ship schedules. The impact on Baltimore could be substantial, probably to the port's advantage, but possibly to its detriment.Maryland port officials are anxiously awaiting word on what ports the two lines will continue to visit if a ship-sharing agreement has been reached.

Maryland port officials hope that the port of Baltimore will reap a cargo windfall from an agreement under discussion by two of the port's most important steamship lines, Maersk and Orient Overseas Container Line.Neither Maersk nor OOCL has confirmed an agreement, but if a deal has been reached, both lines are likely to revise their ship schedules. The impact on Baltimore could be substantial, probably to the port's advantage, but possibly to its detriment.Maryland port officials are anxiously awaiting word on what ports the two lines will continue to visit if a ship-sharing agreement has been reached.

An article in yesterday's Business section used an incorrect shipping route to show how the port of Baltimore would benefit from a new agreement between Maersk Line and American Transport Lines Inc.The article should have said cargo originating in South America and bound for Northern Europe would be unloaded from an AmTrans ship in Baltimore and reloaded onto a Maersk vessel here.+ The Sun Regrets the errors.Maersk Line and Crowley Maritime Corp. have reached an agreement that will make Baltimore a hub for cargo moved jointly the two lines.

Rep. Helen Bentley last week proclaimed 1991 as the year the Port of Baltimore began to reverse its long decline. That's an optimistic message, but there is evidence to support the claim. For the first time in recent memory, the good news from the port has outnumbered the stories of labor unrest or departing shipping lines. Some contracts -- notably the Maersk Line's 10-year lease and the deal that lured the Orient Overseas Container Line back from Hampton Roads, Va. -- represent major successes.

A year ago Longshoreman Fred Frampton used to bring his 4-year-old son along most mornings when he reported for work at the union hiring hall because he knew his chances of landing a job were just about nil.Mr. Frampton's son doesn't get to tag along very much these days, because his father is working pretty steadily on the docks."It feels good to be working," Mr. Frampton said recently as he broke for lunch after a morning of loading steel pipes on a ship.Mr. Frampton's fortunes began to change in April when he and the 16 other members of his crew went to work for Universal Maritime Service Corp.

The Port of Baltimore has had its share of blows over the past few years but now the momentum is swinging the other way, with Baltimore on the offensive. Maersk Line, the port's most important customer, gave Baltimore a huge vote of confidence this week when it signed a 10-year lease to continue doing business here. The port's long-term strategy seems to be working.Key to the port's success is the state of the art Seagirt Marine Terminal. Already, one of the world's largest steamship companies, Orient Overseas Container Line, has decided to return to Baltimore to take advantage of Seagirt's ultra-modern facilities speeding cargo handling.

ANNAPOLIS -- It was a rare day for Gov. William Donald Schaefer yesterday -- the chance to bask in the warm glow of the success of the port of Baltimore."