Port of Baltimore Sets New Records for Vessel Visits and Container Activity Amidst Strong Post-Collapse Recovery

The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore has achieved new milestones, setting records for the total number of cargo vessel visits and container activity in 2025. This accomplishment marks a significant recovery and demonstrates robust economic activity following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in 2024, which had previously impacted operations. According to the Office of Governor Wes Moore, the success is attributed to coordinated efforts to reopen the Fort McHenry shipping channel.

In the past year, the port’s publicly and privately owned marine terminals welcomed 2,223 cargo vessels. This figure surpasses the previous record of 2,137 set in 2023 and represents a substantial 21 percent increase compared to the 2024 figures. The Seagirt Marine Terminal specifically handled a record 1,113,309 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), exceeding the 2023 record by more than 5,000. This terminal also saw a notable rise in ship calls, with 689 individual vessel visits, nearly 100 more than in 2023. Complementing these gains, the number of weekly container services, which represent scheduled vessel routes, increased from 12 in 2024 to 15 in 2025.

Future growth for the port’s container business is anticipated with the upcoming completion of the CSX Howard Street Tunnel Project in 2026. This $518 million modernization of a historic freight tunnel is expected to significantly enhance the Port of Baltimore’s capabilities by allowing for double-stacked container trains. Such an upgrade is projected to boost the port’s capacity, improve its competitiveness with neighboring ports, and potentially expand business opportunities. The project is estimated to increase the port’s container volume by approximately 160,000 annually and is anticipated to create nearly 14,000 jobs.

Beyond container operations, other cargo categories at the public terminals are also showing promising results, with several targeted commodities expected to surpass their 2024 totals once final volume figures are released. The Port of Baltimore plays a crucial role in Maryland’s economy, generating an estimated 20,300 direct jobs and supporting over 273,000 jobs across the state. Its annual economic impact exceeds $70 billion. In 2024, the port held a leading national position in several key cargo categories, including roll-on/roll-off farm and construction machinery, imported forest products, and imported gypsum. It also ranked highly for autos and light trucks, salt, exported coal, and imported sugar. Overall, Baltimore was the 10th largest U.S. port by cargo value and 11th in total cargo tonnage.

Additional highlights from 2025 include the extension of Carnival Cruise Line’s contract, ensuring year-round service from Baltimore through 2030. The port also maintained its exceptional security record, receiving its 16th consecutive top Coast Guard security assessment for its state-owned public marine terminals, a testament to its ongoing investments in physical and cybersecurity measures. In November, the port welcomed the Evergreen Ever Model, a vessel with a capacity of over 15,000 TEUs, marking it as the second-largest ship to ever visit Baltimore. This event underscores the port’s expanding capabilities, fueled by modernization efforts, its deep channel, and advanced crane technology at the Seagirt Marine Terminal. Furthermore, the Maryland Port Administration collaborated with the Army Corps of Engineers to secure $72 million for the Mid-Chesapeake Bay Environmental Restoration Project. This initiative aims to restore and expand island habitats in Dorchester County by utilizing dredged materials, creating hundreds of acres of wetland and terrestrial environments for local wildlife.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Governor Wes Moore

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