Maryland Port Administration

The port of Baltimore moved up one spot in the national rankings in cargo handling last year on the strength of a 37 percent jump from 2009 in the value of shipments over its docks, according to the U.S. Census. Gov. Martin O'Malley said Tuesday that the port had climbed to 11th place from 12th in the value of the cargo it handles and advanced two places, to 13th from 15th, in tonnage. The port grabbed the No. 1 spot among the nation's 360 ports in handling of three cargo categories: trucks, imported salt and imported iron ore. Previously, the port had held the No. 2 rankings in trucks and ore, and sixth place in salt.

The port of Baltimore, long a source of pollution from ships, trucks and heavy equipment, is starting to clean up. While port businesses and environmentalists often clashed in the past, terminal operators and marine businesses say they are stepping up efforts to minimize the harmful effects of port operations on the air, water and soil. They are working to make everything from cranes to yard equipment to warehouse lighting more efficient and environmentally friendly. "The port is becoming the last line of defense in keeping stuff out of the bay," said Richard L. Sheckells Jr., chief of environmental initiatives for the Maryland Port Administration.

The port of Baltimore lost its bid to become an East Coast powerhouse yesterday, as two of the world's largest shipping lines announced they will pass up an offer from Maryland and build a major new terminal in New York Harbor instead. Despite Maryland's promise of cheap labor, deep water and a new 330-acre facility in Dundalk, officials with Maersk Inc. and Sea-Land Service Inc. said the port of Baltimore could not overcome New York's advantage as the largest consumer market in the country.

A former top manager of Miami's port is expected to be named today as the chief executive of the port of Baltimore, according to government and industry sources. The appointment of F. Brooks Royster III, who until recently was chief executive of the company that runs the largest terminal operation at the Port of Miami-Dade, is scheduled to be announced this afternoon, the sources said. Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is expected to introduce Royster at a news conference at the Dundalk Marine Terminal.

With more than a million miles on the road, Armand Patella's 19-year-old Ford 9000 truck has seen better days. But he's hung onto it, because new trucks aren't cheap. Patella, the head of Picorp trucking service on East Lombard Street, still uses the 1992 vehicle to move empty or lightly loaded containers around the port of Baltimore.  "It's had a new engine or two," Patella said last week, "but it's paid for. " Now, though, a program aimed at making the community's air healthier to breathe is encouraging Patella and other short-haul truck operators serving the port to trade in their soot-belching clunkers for newer, cleaner vehicles.

The dockworkers union and waterfront employers moved closer to an accord last night, diminishing the chances of a port strike at midnight tonight.Formal negotiations started at 7 p.m, ending a two-day stalemate, and, at times during the night, a settlement appeared imminent."

While the trade agreement hammered out last week between the United States and Japan establishes a framework for possible progress, it holds the potential of boosting Maryland exports to Japan, according to state officials and business executives."

ANNAPOLIS -- Adrian Teel, the executive director of the Maryland Port Administration, told a legislative panel yesterday that the port agency would like to buy the Seagirt Marine Terminal from the Maryland Transportation Authority, which provided more than $200 million to build it.That suggestion had members of a Senate Budget and Taxation subcommittee bristling at the thought, however, that motorists might end up paying for the purchase through an increase...

Adrian G. Teel, executive director of the Maryland Port Administration, announced yesterday a 15 percent reduction in the work force of the port agency as part of a reorganization he hopes will stem the MPA's losses and help the port regain lost business."

Tay Yoshitani, executive director of the Maryland Port Administration, announced yesterday that he will resign to become deputy executive director of the port of Oakland, Calif.Although he's stepping down from the top post for a number two spot, he will assume vastly broader responsibilities. The port of Oakland encompasses not only maritime operations but also the Oakland International Airport and substantial commercial real estate holdings."I got an offer that was very attractive, and it's a good opportunity to expand my horizons," Yoshitani said.