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 Happy New Year from the Port of Baltimore!
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Significant Investment Will Create Clean Jobs and Support the Port of Baltimore’s Zero-Emission Goals
On October 29, 2024, Maryland Governor Wes Moore welcomed U.S. President Joe Biden back to the Port of Baltimore to celebrate more than $147 million in federal funding to create good-paying, clean jobs and to expedite decarbonization and electrification efforts at the Port. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the funding to the Port of Baltimore through its Clean Ports Program, created under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
The funding will enable the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) and its private partners to purchase approximately 213 pieces of new zero-emission vehicles, equipment, and charging infrastructure that will replace old, inefficient, and polluting diesel combustion engines. The funding will also pay for capacity upgrades to the Port’s electrical grid, which will help significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions with an estimated 35% decrease in carbon dioxide equivalency compared to 2020 levels.
Federal grant funding will also support community engagement with neighborhoods such as Turner Station, Brooklyn, and Curtis Bay.
"In Maryland, we aren't going to choose between building a competitive state and a sustainable one—we will do both at the same time," said Governor Wes Moore.
“Our customers and port partners are driven to change the way they do business to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonize, increase electrification throughout our marine terminals, and, most importantly, positively impact our near-port environmental justice communities,” said Maryland Port Administration Executive Director Jonathan Daniels.
To learn more about the Clean Port Program project and its benefits, read the Port of Baltimore’s grant proposal.
 Photo: Maryland Governor Wes Moore at the Clean Ports Program announcement
Photo by Patrick Siebert/Office of the Maryland Governor
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Driving Progress Toward Cleaner Air
In October, the EPA announced nearly $3.5 million in funding under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants Program for the Port of Baltimore to replace aging diesel-powered equipment with cleaner alternatives, including zero-emission units. These upgrades are a key part of the MPA’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality around port operations.
Eight project partners, including Ports America Chesapeake, Mid-Atlantic Terminal, C. Steinweg, Terminal Corporation, Maryland Environmental Service, McCarthy Tire, Lanodir, and General Ship Repair, have committed to cost-share funding for the new equipment. The older equipment will be scrapped.
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DERA advances environmental justice by prioritizing emission reductions in areas particularly affected by health and environmental impacts from diesel fleets.
“Every community deserves to breathe clean air, but too many communities are still overburdened by pollution from older diesel equipment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With the latest round of funding, EPA’s successful DERA program will upgrade these sources of harmful pollution and accelerate real progress toward a cleaner, more just, and healthier future for all Americans.”
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“This EPA grant will help us keep the momentum going. As the Port of Baltimore continues to grow, our air emissions have declined thanks to the success of the Port’s diesel emission reduction projects,” said MPA’s Environmental Manager Cindy Hudson.
As the Port of Baltimore grows, environmental experts are focused on replacing older equipment with new zero-emission options. Pictured here are battery electric-powered zero-emission terminal tractors that Ports America Chesapeake is deploying at Seagirt Marine Terminal.
Photo By David Simpson/Ports America Chesapeake
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Innovative Hybrid Dredging Begins in The Port of Baltimore
The MPA embraces innovation with the start of a hybrid dredging project on Sunday, December 8, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and their contractor. This marks the first use of hybrid dredge in Maryland’s shipping channels to the Port of Baltimore.
Much like a hybrid car recharges its batteries through braking, hybrid dredging captures energy as the bucket lowers to remove material. The energy generated by gravity and friction powers the dredge’s batteries, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This approach not only cuts emissions but also minimizes noise pollution, making it quieter and more environmentally friendly. Adding to the project’s efficiency is the use of the largest bucket ever deployed in the harbor. “The big selling points are the giant bucket, the fact that it can be very quiet and the potential the be fully electric” said Project Manager Kevin Fenyak.
This innovative approach reflects a commitment to sustainable navigation of our channels and balancing environmental stewardship—all while preserving jobs. It sets a new standard for the future of dredging.
Photo by Curtin Maritime
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Life Scout Leads Project to Create Wildlife Habitat and Amenities at Masonville Cove
Seventh grader Trystan Lyons from Severn has been in Scouting since kindergarten, starting with the rank of Lion. Since then, he has progressed up the ranks of Cub Scouts, and he earned the Arrow of Light rank. After crossing over to the Boy Scouts, he earned six additional ranks and is currently a Life Scout in Troop 447 in Linthicum. He recently completed his Eagle Scout Project at Masonville Cove and is hoping to attain the highest rank in Scouting, Eagle Scout.
For his project Trystan worked with Masonville Cove to build a fishing supply closet, three benches with backs, four birdhouses, and four bat boxes. Reflecting on the project, he says that he “developed skills like leadership, responsibilities, and team building that will be very useful in the future for a job and life.”
Trystan noted that "The importance of places like Masonville Cove to the people of Baltimore is immeasurable. Masonville Cove provides a relaxing spot that is easily accessible to enjoy nature, watching birds, butterflies, bats, fish, or sit and relax outside. My project touched on all those points. The bat and bird boxes will bring more animals into Masonville Cove to pollinate the flowers and plants and control insects. The benches allow people to turn off their phones and become closer to nature. Lastly, the fishing closet will allow greater access to the community and for Masonville to host larger fishing events due to the increased storage closer to the pier and greater fishing tackle and gear,” said Trystan.
According to Trystan, the Scouts follow an Outdoor Code which encourages them to treat the outdoors as a heritage, meaning to take care of it for themselves and others by striving to keep trash and garbage out of waterways, roadways, and outdoor spaces. They also learn best practices for conservation of the world around them and encourage others to do the same.
Photo: Life Scout Trystan Lyons with one of the three benches he assembled with fellow scouts at Masonville Cove.
Photo by April Lyons
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Engaging Tilghman Island Youth Through Environmental Education
The Port of Baltimore Environmental Education Team, a collaboration between the MPA and MES, offers school programs to engage students with the Port’s environmental initiatives. One of these programs takes place on Tilghman Island, which serves as the docking site for the Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island crew boats.
During the winter months (November through March), public tours of Poplar Island are paused, giving outreach staff time to focus on educational opportunities off-site in the surrounding communities. One key initiative is an after-school program for the Tilghman Area Youth Association, offering Tilghman Elementary students hands-on STEM activities and insights into the Port’s restoration work at Poplar Island and other environmental projects. Since 2020, staff has provided over 300 students multiple hour-long programs that aim to combine learning with fun, inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.
Staff is excited to be invited back again this winter. Students new to the program, and who have done it previous years are eager to learn about the island that’s almost in their backyard. Many of them also have family members who work or have worked on the island, creating an invaluable connection to the local community.
“It’s amazing to come back week after week to see what the students remember,” says Poplar staff Kristina Motley, “The lessons often build off of one another and what the students learned in a previous activity, they use in the next. It’s also great to see students from previous years remember the lessons and see how they use what they’ve learned in the lessons, especially the STEM based activities.”
Elizabeth Gonzalez, Executive Director of the program says “(The) kids are loving your programming. Thank you so much. We are very grateful.”
Visit the Port of Baltimore Environmental Education Team’s e3 portal to learn more or request a program for your school.
Photo: MPA fosters a connection to the Tilghman Island community, which is Poplar Island’s neighbor.
Photo by Julia Moya/Maryland Environmental Service (MES)
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Greater Baybrook Alliance Marks 5 Years with New Headquarters Groundbreaking
The Greater Baybrook Alliance (GBA) celebrated its milestone 5th anniversary with a groundbreaking ceremony for its new headquarters on November 19, 2024, at 11 a.m. The building, formerly owned by Bank of America, will soon serve as GBA office space and retail pop-up space for local entrepreneurs.
The event was well-attended by community members, elected officials, and local leaders, all gathered to celebrate GBA’s ongoing impact. A long-standing partner of the MPA and the Masonville Cove Partnership, GBA has played a key role in environmental initiatives and community outreach in the area. During the event attendees had the opportunity to view the planned renovations to the building, which include turning the bank vault into a conference space and heard speeches from Meredith Chaiken, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Baybrook Alliance and Councilmember Phylicia Porter to name a few.
"The groundbreaking of our new office space, in the heart of the communities we serve, marks an exciting chapter for the Greater Baybrook Alliance," said Chaiken. "This project is a testament to our community partners who have believed in us and our ongoing commitment to neighborhood revitalization in South Baltimore. With this new space, we will continue our mission of empowering our residents, fostering economic growth, and strengthening the fabric of our community."
 Photo by Greater Baybrook Alliance.
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Biological and Medical Illustration Students Enhance Communications
A longstanding partnership dating back to the 1980s between the National Aquarium and Johns Hopkins University’s (JHU) School of Medicine has provided opportunities for students studying medical and biological illustration to see their work published in educational materials for the National Aquarium and some of its regional partners, including Masonville Cove, which joined the program in 2023.
“Collaboration is the foundation of the partnership. The master’s students, who hope to be professional illustrators post-graduation, get the opportunity to work with clients. Their clients, in turn, can be shown how important strong and simple communication is to the understanding of their audience,” said National Aquarium Conservation Community Coordinator Gregory Atkin.
JHU graduate student Chloe Woodin’s poster illustrating the bald eagles of Masonville Cove won an award of merit from the Association of Medical Illustrators in 2023, as did Nicholas Kilner-Pontone’s American white cedar poster. Visit this online gallery to check out work done by other medical and biological students and learn more about the art form.
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Bats: Nature’s Nocturnal Heroes
Partnering with Baltimore Green Space, Masonville Cove welcomed community members for two evening walks during Bat Appreciation Week, which takes place the last week of October. Participants were given special devices to hear bat calls and identify species.
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“One of the primary goals of Bat Appreciation Week is to bring awareness of the importance of bats to our ecosystem. We have about six or seven species of bats in our area, including the little brown bat, big brown bat, red bat, and tricolored bat,” said Dr. Ela-Sita Carpenter, an urban wildlife biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
According to the Maryland Cooperative Extension, one little brown bat can eat approximately 1,200 mosquito-sized insects per hour. Bats also serve as pollinators, provide pest control for gardens, and disperse seeds in rainforests.
Photo (right): A beautiful sunset as participants gather for a bat walk at Masonville Cove
Photo by Sarah D'Adamo/Baltimore Greenspace
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Despite all the positives that bats bring to our ecosystem, there are several conservation threats to bats. One is human fear. Some people may feel afraid when they encounter a bat and take actions that can harm it. Dr. Carpenter says education can help alleviate this fear. Other major threats include the loss of forested habitat and white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that slowly kills bats while they're hibernating, leading to some bat colonies losing 90% of their population during the winter. We can support bats by conserving forest habitat, planting native plants that attract insects, and, in some cases, installing a bat house if their natural habitat is limited.
Photo (left): A poster created by JHU graduate student and illustrator Hannah Forward (see previous article) depicts the common species that can be found at Masonville Cove and local to Baltimore, echolocation frequencies and physical characteristics that help identify them.
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New Name, Same Mission
Embracing a fresh identity while staying core to its mission, the Office of Harbor Development has a new name—the Office of Navigation, Innovation, and Stewardship (NIS).
“We decided to change our office name to better reflect our mission and our work. Although we have changed our office name, our mission remains the same,” said MPA Outreach Coordinator Danielle Fisher.
“The work that we do is centered around implementing the Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP), making sure our navigation channels are dredged and safely allow cargo in and out of the Port of Baltimore. We look at innovative ways to manage the dredged material that comes out of our channels while making sure that we are also being a good neighbor. That's where stewardship comes in, as we make sure we are taking care of the environment and managing dredge material in a way that is beneficial to all of Maryland,” continued Fisher.
Office of Navigation, Innovation and Stewardship Mission Statement:
The mission of the Office of Navigation, Innovation and Stewardship is to ensure the safe passage of cargo vessels through the Port of Baltimore’s navigation channels in order to maintain and increase the long-term viability of the Port as an economic engine for the State of Maryland, the region, and the nation.
We do this by advocating for funding and policies that enable us to plan, design, construct, operate, monitor, and maintain sustainable dredged material management options in a setting that prioritizes environmental stewardship, compliance, and partnerships with citizens and other stakeholders.
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 Photo: NIS team members with MPA staff at the Swan Creek Nature Trail groundbreaking in October.
Photo by Rockye Truelove/MPA
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A Milestone for the Mid-Bay Project
Keeping the public informed about our work is a top priority for the MPA and our partners. One such project is the Mid-Bay Project, a restoration effort that will utilize dredged material to restore the severely eroded James Island and Barren Island in Dorchester County.
As the Mid-Bay Project reached a significant milestone, MPA and US Army Corps of Engineers staff were on hand for a "poster session" at the Madison Volunteer Fire Department on November 6, 2024, to share updates with community members.
Thirteen people attended the poster session, some of whom learned about the Mid-Bay Project for the first time. The outreach team shared details about Barren Island Phase I construction, completed in October 2024, and Phase II construction, anticipated to begin in late 2024 or early 2025. Meanwhile, the design phase for James Island is underway.
The Mid-Bay Project is a crucial future placement site and is integral to DMMP 20-year strategy to manage sediment dredged from Bay channels, enabling cargo ships to travel through and do business in the Port of Baltimore. Mid-Bay will accept 2-3 million cubic yards of dredged material annually once Poplar Island reaches capacity, expected to occur near 2030.
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When complete, the Mid-Bay Project will restore over 2,000 acres of land and wetlands, protect seagrass beds, and enhance wildlife habitat for birds as well as recreationally and commercially important fish species.
Stakeholders and interested parties can stay informed by signing up for newsletters, attending public poster sessions, or attending DMMP committee meetings.
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Photo: The Mid-Bay Project Delivery and Outreach Teams were available to provide the most up-to-date information regarding restoration activities at Barren and James Islands and answered questions at the poster session held on November 6, 2024.
Photo by Brandi McCoy/KLT Group
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MPA DMMP Annual Meeting: Navigating Towards Tomorrow
More than 120 attendees came to the MPA DMMP Annual Meeting held on Friday, December 6, 2024, in the Baum Auditorium at MedStar Harbor Hospital. Titled “Navigating Towards Tomorrow,” attendees had an opportunity to network, meet MPA leaders, and learn how the DMMP is working to benefit all Marylanders while successfully maintaining the Port’s channels and honoring commitments to community partners and the environment.
“We have come together to communicate, debate, learn, and collaborate to make progress towards our economic, environmental, and community goals,” said Holly Miller, director of the Office of Navigation, Innovation and Stewardship.
“The success of this port- past, present, future- is based on the implementation of a dredged material management program that gives our shippers and our carriers the confidence and the understanding that the viability of the port and the Port of Baltimore for at least the next 20 years is unquestioned,” said MPA Executive Director Jonathan Daniels during his impactful update on the State of the Port.
A panel discussion featured the voices of stakeholders who shared their unique perspectives on how the DMMP impacts education, the economy, and the environment. Moderated by Maryland Port Commissioner Ms. Karenthia Barber, Mr. Bennett Creighton of Ports America Chesapeake represented perspective on navigation for shipping lines; Mr. Miguel Lambert of Repurpose Aggregates represented perspective on innovatively reusing dredged sediment and Ms. Nichole Werre of Severna Park Middle School represented perspective on stewardship as a long time participant in MPA’s Terrapin Education Research Partnership (TERP), a terrapin head-start program.
“We are so fortunate to engage with community groups, partnering organizations, sister state agencies, and the general public who are interested in the Port and the work of the DMMP. Your interest and engagement make the entire program work!” said Holly Miller.
 Photo (above): Diverse panelists shared about their interaction and engagement with the DMMP and the Port related to navigation, innovation, and stewardship.
Photo by Caitlin Eversmier
 Photo (above): Jonathan Daniels spoke about the essential need for a thriving dredged material management program.
Photo by Caitlin Eversmier
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DMMP Releases 2024 Annual Report
At the MPA DMMP Annual Meeting on Friday, December 6, 2024 (see article above), the DMMP Management Committee released its 2024 Annual Report. The report, titled "Navigating Towards Tomorrow," highlights the vital role of the DMMP in advancing the MPA’s overall mission.
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The Port of Baltimore generates about 20,300 direct jobs, with more than 273,000 jobs linked to port activities overall. As a vital economic engine for Maryland and the nation, the Port’s success relies heavily on the dredging of sediment from Bay channels, which ensures that cargo ships can navigate and conduct business at the Port. Therefore, the DMMP’s 20-year strategy for dredged material management is crucial in maintaining the Port's operations and future growth.
The report also summarizes the year’s significant accomplishments toward the DMMP recommendations from the previous year, highlights the partnerships with stakeholders that are essential to mutually beneficial outcomes and successes, and provides recommendations from the Management Committee to build upon the DMMP’s excellence throughout 2025.
Read the full report here.
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These committee meetings are open to the public. Some meetings may be virtual or in-person in accordance with COVID protocols. Please visit maryland-dmmp.com for details and access information for each meeting. For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
Bay Enhancement Working Group – CAD Subcommittee - January 16th at 1:00 PM
Cox Creek Operations Complex
1000 Kembo Road
Curtis Bay, MD 21226
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
Cox Creek Citizens Oversight Committee - January 22nd at 5:30 PM
Cox Creek Operations Complex
1000 Kembo Road
Curtis Bay, MD 21226
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
Innovative Reuse Committee - February 4th at 5:30 PM
Cox Creek Operations Complex
1000 Kembo Road
Curtis Bay, MD 21226
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
Hart-Miller Island Citizens Oversight Committee - February 11th at 5:30 PM
Point Breeze
2200 Broening Highway
Baltimore MD, 21224
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
Bay Enhancement Working Group – CAD Subcommittee - February 13th at 1:00 PM
Cox Creek Operations Complex
1000 Kembo Road
Curtis Bay, MD 21226
For more information, visit maryland-dmmp.com
For questions, please contact ecoport@marylandports.com.
Citizens Advisory Committee - February 19th at 5:30 PM
TBD
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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