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Port of Baltimore is Officially Open
Governor Wes Moore joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other federal, state, and Port of Baltimore officials on June 12 to announce the full reopening of the Port following the reinstatement of the Fort McHenry Federal Channel.
“After the bridge fell, we laid out four key directives: Bring closure to the families of the victims; clear the full federal channel and fully reopen the Port of Baltimore to vessel traffic; support everyone affected by this crisis – from our workers to our businesses; and rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge. We promised to bring each of these priorities to completion – even though success was never guaranteed,” said Governor Moore.
“By working together, we have achieved the first three of our four directives. But in this administration, we don’t settle for ‘almost.’ We finish the work we start. We can look out onto the Patapsco and see that the Dali is gone and the wreckage has been cleared. But I will not be satisfied until I can look out on the Patapsco River from this spot and see the Key Bridge standing tall again. That is the push. That is the promise. And by moving in partnership, we will make it reality.”
More than 1,500 people from federal, state, and local agencies contributed to the reopening of the main shipping channel, including 500 specialists operating dozens of pieces of equipment.
With the full shipping channel now open, the Port of Baltimore’s economic engine is revving up to be stronger than ever. The Port of Baltimore’s public terminals directly support more than 20,000 workers, including longshoremen and truckers. Each day the port’s economic impact represents $192 million, or more than $70 billion a year, representing 13% of Maryland’s gross domestic product.
 Photo Credit: Bill McAllen
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Recycling of Francis Scott Key Bridge Materials
A significant effort and collaboration is underway between all members of the Unified Command to recycle steel following the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The steel truss section that collapsed in the early morning of March 26, 2024, is being cut by flame torch into manageable sections for the cranes to pick and place onto barges or remain attached to the crane and transported to Trade Point Atlantic’s Sparrows Point, where the Maryland Transportation Authority’s (MDTA) contractor is leasing property to process the material. Once the steel truss sections are delivered to the processing yard, the sections are cut into five-foot sections.
The steel is loaded into a dump trailer and hauled to a local recycling company to be processed. It is then exported to various plants to be melted and fabricated into new products such as appliances, building materials, and steel drums.
Additionally, the concrete deck is brought to the yard and broken into small pieces to remove the rebar, which is then placed into metal containers and hauled to the scrap yard. The concrete is used for fill areas around the yard.
This effort to recycle steel from the bridge collapse is important and difficult work that must be conducted very cautiously. Stringent safety measures have been implemented to prevent any steel pieces from striking the welders, who are equipped with dark safety glasses and air respirators, focusing on their work and the intense heat of the welding process.
 Photo: Recycling efforts at Sparrows Point
Photo by MDTA
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ECO Port 2023 Annual Review
From Dollars for Drays, geotubes and mushroom compost to rare birds and community outreach, learn more about the ECO Port Initiative’s highlights from 2023 in the recently released 2023 ECO Port Annual Review “Building a Thriving Future: Sustaining Our Local Economy, Safeguarding Our Environment.”
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“We are extremely proud of our many accomplishments,” said MPA Environmental Manager Cindy Hudson. “The Annual Review offers readers the opportunity to see the Maryland Port Administration’s dedication to our community and our environment over the previous year.”
“Our mission is to stimulate waterborne commerce for the State of Maryland, but it’s good that readers can get a snapshot of how the MPA and our Port partners achieve that goal while prioritizing environmental stewardship, community engagement and education each year”, stated Katrina Jones, MPA Program Manager for Education and Engagement.
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Clean Sweep
Thanks to federal funding, the Maryland Port Administration’s (MPA) street and pavement cleanup efforts will be powered by cleaner energy. MPA received $642,258 for a new electric, zero-emissions street sweeper, as well as for research to reduce engine idling at the Port from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration’s Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities (RTEPF) Grant Program.
“As a good neighbor, community member and employer, we strive every day to achieve a cleaner and healthier environment,” said MPA Environmental Manager Cindy Hudson. “Our new electric street sweeper will replace an older diesel-powered model. As we continue to collect trash and prevent it from entering our waterways, now we can do so with zero emissions.”
MPA will also use the funding to determine the feasibility of using electric power take off (ePTO) devices on car carrier trucks. These trucks average two hours of engine idling per trip while loading or unloading. Wider adoption of ePTOs will significantly reduce truck idling and emissions.
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Photo: By replacing older diesel-powered Port equipment with newer electric models, MPA continues to improve air quality for the neighboring communities.
Photo by Global Environmental Products
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Poplar Island Marsh Study Provides Global Insight
Funded by MPA, researchers from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, the University of South Carolina and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration studied seven marshes at The Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island that were developed from 2003 to 2018.
Their findings reveal that the Poplar Island marshes, which were built with dredged material from shipping channels to the Port of Baltimore, are keeping up with the pace of local rising sea levels. A key design factor that has made the marshes more resilient to climate change is establishing the low marsh with an initial elevation on the high side of the optimal elevation for vegetation growth. A recommendation from the study suggests that to help promote resiliency wetland designs should reduce the acreages that are developed as low marsh versus high marsh (marsh built at a higher elevation and including less tidal inundation, which creates more “elevation capital” or space for the low marsh to migrate landward with rising sea levels.
As the use of dredged material to restore marshlands increases worldwide, the long-term study at Poplar Island provides scientists with insight into climate change resilience.
Read more about the study in the Chesapeake Bay Journal, an independent environmental news organization covering the Chesapeake Bay offering free subscriptions.
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From Trash to Treasure
By donating materials no longer needed for maritime use and diverting them from the landfill, the Baltimore Port Alliance (BPA) is helping Baltimore communities come together while growing food and creating jobs.
At the Bmore Legacy Farm in West Baltimore’s Upton community, a surplus container’s second act as a storage shed provides space for a tractor and other equipment for Sacred Kolor’s indigo farm. The Uptown Planning Committee’s community project to grow indigo on the site has expanded to include workforce development grants. There is also an orchard with 70 fruit trees to provide nutrition for the community.
The Upton Community has historically been a hub for Black culture for the people of West Baltimore and was home to Thurgood Marshall, Elijah Cummings, and Parren Mitchell. “Bmore Legacy Farm provides food, jobs, and educational opportunities to the Upton Community. Bmore Legacy Farm is a gift that we hope to develop, grow, and maintain,” said Bmore Legacy Farm Director of Operations and Sustainable Agricultural Program Director Bryan Ibrafall Wright.
Additionally, lumber originally used for blocking and bracing breakbulk cargo at the C. Steinweg Group terminal is now helping community gardens grow. Their donation to Neighbor Space of Baltimore County will benefit Chestnut Park in Turner Station, another will benefit the Victorine Q. Adams Memorial Garden, and a future delivery is planned for the Upton Gardens of Hope - Community Garden.
“We like to be able to donate and help the community out. If a community has a garden and needs lumber, reach out! It’s better than having it go in the trash,” said Steinweg Facilities Manager Marc Kiriou.
Community organizations can contact Dan Spack with EcoLogix Group, Inc. to request consideration of donations from BPA at dspack@ecologixgroup.com.
Thank you to Ports America Chesapeake for donating the container, Terminal Corporation for sponsoring the transportation, and to M&W Towing for skillful delivery to the Bmore Legacy Farm.
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Photo (above): From left to right: Bmore Legacy Farm Support Officer Kelly Little, BPA Environmental Committee Co-Chair and President of Free State Marine Rupert Denny, Upton Planning Committee Executive Director Wanda Best, and Bmore Legacy Farm Director of Operations and Sustainable Agricultural Program Director Bryan Ibrafall Wright.
Photo by Jamie Meyers/M&W Towing
Photo (left): Members of Boy Scout Troop 828 create planters at Chestnut Park with donated lumber.
Photo by Mason Strong/Boy Scout Troop 828
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Baltimore Port Alliance Hosts the 6th Hiring & Career Expo
With a special focus on resources and aid for port workers impacted by the Francis Scott Key Bridge tragedy, the Baltimore Port Alliance (BPA) hosted the 6th Hiring & Career Expo to connect qualified job seekers with employers in the maritime, transportation, and logistics industries. The May 2nd event welcomed more than 300 job seekers and 34 employers for networking at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC).
Job seekers had a chance to have a free professional photo taken, apply for open positions and even, in some cases, participate in on-the-spot interviews. Employers such as the MPA, Ports America, Amazon, and Amports, were on hand to meet prospective employment candidates.
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“Each career expo successfully pairs more employers and job seekers than the last,” said BPA Chair Armand Patella. “Strengthening the Port of Baltimore by growing our workforce has never been more important as we contribute to the national supply chain solution.”
Based on attendee feedback, the expo was a resounding success:
- 75% of job seekers found opportunities for which they will apply
- 78% of employers met candidates they are likely to follow up with for interviews or offers
- 100% would recommend the event to others and attend a similar event in the future
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Photo: More than 300 job seekers with all levels of education and experience—ranging from high school graduates to recent college graduates to seasoned professionals—attended the 6th Hiring & Career Expo hosted by BPA.
Photo by Angie Ashley/Angie Ashley Consulting
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Earth Day Action
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MPA partnered with several organizations to make Earth Day fun, educational, and productive for neighboring port communities. At the Canton Waterfront Cleanup and Earth Day Celebration hosted by Dundalk Renaissance and Carefirst, MPA Harbor Development Outreach Coordinator Danielle Fisher joined Baltimore City Council Member Zeke Cohen and Ramon Palencia Calvo from the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, where she shared information about the Port of Baltimore’s green initiatives, environmental and community investments, and career opportunities with approximately 50 attendees.
Photo (right): Area high school students and their families were among the nearly 50 people who attended the Canton Waterfront Cleanup and Earth Day Celebration.
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Photo by Steve Mosley/Dundalk Renaissance
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Additionally, Turner Station Conservation Teams invited MPA to participate in their Spring into Action Turner Station Community and Earth Day Celebration along with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Maryland Transportation Authority, Ports America Chesapeake, and The Nature Conservancy Maryland/DC Chapter. Utilizing three dumpsters, volunteers helped to clean Turner Station Park, Fleming Park and Chestnut Park and mulched the area surrounding 137 trees planted last year. Nearly 100 people participated.
“We are very grateful for our partners. We could not have done it without them,” said Turner Station Conservation Teams representative Edie Brooks. “It was a very successful event, and we look forward to celebrating Earth Day again with our valuable partners next year.”
Photo (left): One of the many volunteers tending to Chestnut Park
Photo by Samonne Whitehad
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These committee meetings are open to the public. Some meetings may be virtual or in-person. Please visit maryland-dmmp.com for details and access information for each meeting.
DMMP Management Committee Meeting - June 20th at 10:00AM
Hybrid - World Trade Center Stanton Room 401 E Pratt St.
20th Floor, Baltimore, MD, United States
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
DMMP Citizens Oversight Committee Meeting - July 10th at 5:30PM
Hybrid - Cox Creek Operations and Maintenance Complex
1000 Kembo Rd., Baltimore, MD, United States
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
DMMP Hart Miller Citizens Oversight Committee Meeting - July 16th at 5:30PM
Hart-Miller Island (limited capacity by boat only)
2024A Riverview Rd, Essex, MD, United States
RSVP Required; visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
DMMP Masonville Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting - August 6th at 5:30PM
Hybrid - Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center
1000 Frankfurst Ave, Baltimore, United States
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
DMMP Executive Committee Meeting - August 7th at 2:00PM
Hybrid - MDOT Headquarters
7201 Corporate Center Drive, Hanover, MD, United States
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
DMMP Annual Field Trip - August 16th at TBD
In-Person Location TBD
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
DMMP Innovative Reuse Committee Meeting - August 27th at 5:30PM
Hybrid - Cox Creek Operations and Maintenance Complex
1000 Kembo Rd., Baltimore, MD, United States
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
DMMP Management Committee Meeting - September 18th at 10:00AM
Hybrid - World Trade Center Stanton Room
401 E Pratt St. - 20th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
Urban Wildlife Conservation Day - September 14th at 9:00AM
Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center
1000 Frankfurst Ave, Baltimore, United States
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
Port of Baltimore Open House - October 19th at 10:00AM
Cox Creek Operations and Maintenance Complex
1000 Kembo Rd., Baltimore, MD, United States
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
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ECO Port Newsletter is the Maryland Port Administration’s bi-monthly update of projects and programs that help the agency contribute to a thriving economy, environmental stewardship, and community partnerships. As always, we thank the many private sector businesses, government leaders, communities, and individual citizens who have helped make these achievements a reality. |
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Jonathan Daniels, Executive Director
Maryland Port Administration
The World Trade Center
401 East Pratt Street, Baltimore MD 21202
1-800-638-7519 / www.marylandports.com
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