Port

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.

Gov. William Donald Schaefer has said he "deplores" the strike by International Longshoremen's Association Local 953 and has said he may get the state involved in port operations. Schaefer has not been specific about what role the state might play. In the past, he has said state workers could replace the union clerks. Do you think the governor should involve the state in the dispute or not? Do you think state workers should be used to replace union workers or not? We'd like you to share your opinion with us.Please call SUNDIAL, the Baltimore Sun's telephone information system, on a touch-tone phone.

The Port of Baltimore led the nation in vehicle and roll on/roll off traffic in 2012 and surpassed previous marks for general cargo handling, state officials announced Wednesday. The port's public and private terminals moved 652,000 vehicles last year, up 18 percent from 2011. Roll on/roll off cargo, consisting of farm and construction machinery, was up 16 percent to 1.09 million tons. General cargo at the public terminals was 9.59 million tons, an increase of eight percent over 2011 and beating the old mark of 8.96 million tons set in 2008.

The union representing 14,500 East Coast and Gulf longshoremen and the representative of 43 port operators and shipping companies completed negotiations on a six-year deal, a federal mediator announced Wednesday afternoon. The terms of the Master Agreement will now go to the respective memberships of the International Longshoremen's Association and U.S. Maritime Alliance for ratification, said George Cohen, director of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The Port of Baltimore has about 1,200 dockworkers represented by four locals.

The port of Baltimore set a record this year for the number of cruise passengers through its terminal, officials said Friday. In 2010, 169,490 passengers embarked on cruises from the port, topping the 167,235 port cruise passengers in 2009, which also had set a record. The port expects to have a record 91 cruises this year, business that contributes $90 million in economic impact to the state. Last year, the port offered 81 cruises, which generated about $80 million to the economy.

J. Owen Cole, honored yesterday as the Port Leader of the Year by the Baltimore Junior Association of Commerce, said that the once-fractious port community has become more cooperative."

On October 11, 2004, DAVID LEE, beloved husband of Linda Whittemore Port, devoted step-father of Eric J. Alves, dear brother of Michael Port and the late Roberta Berger and William Port, brother-in-law of Jane G. and her husband Frank R. Willcox. Also survived by nieces and nephews. Services at the family-owned Evans Chapel of Memories - Parkville on Thursday at 10 A.M. Interment Garrison Forest Veteran Cemetery. Visiting Wednesday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Memorial donations in David's name may be made to The Casey Cares Foundation, 1401 Rome Road, Baltimore, MD 21227, Attn: Erin Murphy.

The sudden resignations of the top two officials at the Port of Baltimore have thrown the Maryland Port Administration into turmoil and left Gov. Parris N. Glendening with another embarrassment, one that was not all his making.Mr. Glendening must immediately name an acting port director in the wake of the departure of Michael P. Angelos and his hand-picked deputy, G. Gregory Russell. A strong leader, such as former Rep. Helen Bentley, would quell unease among port customers. The port is a $1 billion-a-year revenue generator that is absolutely critical to the state's economic revival.

Slowly but surely, the news from the port is looking up. In September a major shipping company, the Orient Overseas Container Line, indicated it would return to Baltimore after taking its business elsewhere seven years ago. Then came predictions that the Port of Baltimore stands a good chance of becoming a steel-loading center for the East Coast, followed by a report that with two months remaining in 1991, the port had already handled more coal exports than...

Gov. William Donald Schaefer today announced that Wallenius Lines plan to expand its service at the Port of Baltimore by 50 percent.One of the world's leading vehicle carriers, Wallenius has added the ship Pacific Breeze to its transatlantic service and expects to add the Atlantic Breeze to service in June. The additional ships increase the number of vessels in the transatlantic service from four to six."Wallenius' decision to expand is proof positive that our increased efforts are working to produce an economic upturn at the port," Schaefer said.