Port

The Port of Baltimore enters the year hoping to continue its steady growth in cargo by capitalizing on last year's agreements liberalizing world trade.Both the North American Free Trade Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade accord are expected to increase trade in Baltimore and elsewhere by significantly reducing or eliminating tariffs."We're anticipating a positive impact at the port of Baltimore," said Michael P. Angelos, executive director of the Maryland Port Administration, which oversees the state's five public marine terminals.

Because of an editing error, an article about the Maryland Port Administration in the Business section of yesterday's Sun incorrectly identified the guest of honor at a reception Tuesday. The event was held to honor Adrian G. Teel, the port agency'sTC new executive director.Charged with reorganizing and revitalizing the Maryland Port Administration, Adrian G. Teel, the port agency's new executive director, announced yesterday the hiring of an executive assistant and confirmed the resignation of the MPA's director of personnel.

By agreeing to a two-year extension on its existing contract, local members of the International Longshoremen's Association have given the Port of Baltimore a big boost -- an assist that should help port officials lure more cargo business up the Chesapeake. That will mean more jobs for ILA workers, who have seen manpower on the docks plunge in the past 15 years.The 955-144 vote to approve the contract illustrates the new, cooperative attitude that local ILA leaders brought to the bargaining table.

Transportation secretary O. James Lighthizer has begun his promised overhaul of the Maryland Port Administration by naming his former top assistant in Anne Arundel County as the MPA's new director. While Adrian Teel is touted by Mr. Lighthizer as a first-rate manager, he has absolutely no port or maritime experience, which could prove a major drawback in the Byzantine world that is the Port of Baltimore.Mr. Teel's challenge is daunting. Baltimore's maritime community has been caught in a vicious, downward spiral.

In hopes of increasing the amount of cargo moving over the docks, Baltimore port officials are encouraging development of warehouse and distribution facilities in the region.It's hardly a new idea, but it's an approach that is becoming a much more important part of the Maryland Port Administration's marketing efforts.Milton H. Miller Sr., a member of the Maryland Port Commission who is a strong proponent of the idea, said it basically comes down to taking advantage of what the port of Baltimore stands to do best: provide a way for companies to get their products to their customers quickly and in good condition.

WASHINGTON -- U.S. military transportation officials say the Port of Baltimore is being considered as an entry point for materiel that will return from the war in the Persian Gulf.The port did not handle any outgoing military supplies and equipment because much of the materiel belonged to military units stationed in the South and was shipped from Southern ports, according to military officials and the office of Rep. Helen D. Bentley, R-2nd.Bentley and her staff helped arrange a port visit two weeks ago by Maj. Gen. John R. Piatak of the Military Traffic Management Command based in Falls Church, Va. The command is responsible for moving Department of Defense materiel.

Renewed interest in the Port of Baltimore by major cargo handling firms has cheered some in the local maritime community who hope it represents an improvement in the beleaguered port's image.So far this year, one major operator, Universal Maritime Services Corp., has set up shop in Baltimore and a local company, The Terminal Corp., has entered into a joint venture with a Canadian concern to expand forest product handling here.And two southern companies, Ryan-Walsh and Cooper/T. Smith, are actively exploring the local market with an eye on moving in."

COUNT THE dispensing of political patronage among the lost arts. It was sublimely artful when the bosses could bring on a party plodder and he didn't crash the system. It was art when a few no-shows (or people you hoped wouldn't show) could be managed without threatening the mission. You could still get the streets plowed and the garbage picked up and the meters read. Maybe it's the kind of political and governmental canvas you learn to paint over long periods of one-party rule. Maybe that's why the Port of Baltimore is foundering and on the verge of losing James J. White, the widely hailed director of the Maryland Port Administration.

Maryland Port Director Michael P. Angelos resigned yesterday, saying he could not effectively perform his job while under federal investigation for possible insider trading in a local bank stock.Mr. Angelos' resignation came a day after he was placed on an indefinite paid administrative leave by Gov. Parris N. Glendening, who met with his port chief for two hours on Monday. The meeting between Mr. Angelos and the governor focused on an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission into Mr. Angelos' trading of Baltimore Bancorp stock prior to its sale last year.

A top official at the Maryland Port Administration has resigned to become senior vice president at BalTerm, a Baltimore forest products terminal operation.Morgan C. Bailey, director of marketing, submitted his resignation Monday to the agency's new director, Tay Yoshitani. Mr. Bailey joined the MPA in 1988 and had been director of marketing since 1992.He had been considered a leading inside candidate for the executive director's job. The five-month search ended earlier this summer with the selection of Mr. Yoshitani, former deputy director at the Port of Los Angeles.