As other major U.S. ports experience congestion, Maryland's Port of Baltimore is reportedly adding more container ships to it.
Bill Doyle told WBAL-TV 11 on Wednesday that the city has added two new container ships bringing the total of new ships to 21.
We have many local distribution centers, an excellent truck and train network and very skilled long-shore workers which all contribute to reasons why containers move efficiently through the Port of Baltimore, he told the station.
WBAL-TV 11 reported that port officials reported its figures from August showed a figure shown the number of containers increased by 12% year over year.
The port announced the arrival of four new, fully electric and 450-foot-tall Neopanamax container cranes in September press release.
The cranes, which weigh approximately 1,740 tons can extend to lift 23 containers on a vessel and weigh 187,500 pounds of cargo.
The cranes are part of a significant expansion by Ports America Chesapeake in Seagirt to provide greater capacity and efficiency to handle anticipated increases in container volumes, the release explained, noting that import and export demand for container cargo has substantially increased over the past year and that port congestion is at an all-time high. Business there compared to the early months of the COVID - 19 pandemic has recovered strongly and compared to July 2020, autos and light trucks increased 20%, roll on and roll off construction machinery was up 19%, breakbulk cargo was up 40% and paper coming through the Port increased 239% due to a new contract with Mets Group and Logistec.
This is a good day for the Port of Baltimore and for the men and women who make up its outstanding workforce, Maryland Gov. Then takes a break from the call on Baltimore Governor. Larry Hogan said in a statement. The Port's Container business has seen tremendous growth in recent years and is poised to grow even more with the addition of these new ultra-large cranes. Thanks to our MDOT MPA team and our partners in Port America Chesapeake, the Port of Baltimore is well-positioned to continue as one of Maryland s prime economic engines. Just two days before the port announced arrival of the first vessel of a new Taekwondo service to Southeast Asia from Maersk Line.
While the port is not dealing with the same delays and backups as others in southern California, WBAL-TV 11 said that the city is still seeing many of the same supply issues.
Port delays, COVID - 19 outbreaks and labor shortages have thrown a wrench in the exchange of products between Asia and North America as global economies attempt to meet surging demand and recover from the pandemic.
As of Monday, according to the Marine Exchange of Southern California, there were 62 ships waiting to dock and unload at the two ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, which account for 40% of all shipping containers entering the U.S.
President Joe Biden announced a deal with the port of Los Angeles to expand operations as consumer prices continue to rise and container ships are in gridlock, threatening the U.S. economy.
In addition, Walmart, FedEx, UPS, Target, Samsung and The Home Depot are committed to unloading during off-peak hours.
The Wall Street Journal reported last weekend that global supply chain delays were so severe that some of America's largest retailers have reported chartering their own cargo ships to import goods.
Unloaded goods stranded on container ships had caused high inflation and mass shortages that have caused mass inflation.
The Labor Department said Wednesday that the annual increase in the consumer price index matched readings in June and July as the highest in 13 years.
Biden said that ports are only one part of the problem.
We need to take a longer view and invest in building greater resilience to withstand the kinds of shocks we have seen over and over, year in and year out, the risk of pandemic, extreme weather, climate change, cyberattacks, weather disruptions, said he.