Joseph R. Hughes, The Examiner
2007-10-04 07:00:00.0
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BALTIMORE -

Thirty-three American seaports were recognized recently for exemplary projects, environmental improvements, facilities engineering and communications at the American Association of Port Authorities’ annual convention in Norfolk, Va.

The association, founded in 1912, promotes port organization and uniform methods for principal port authorities in North America.

Added to the accolades of its tricentennial watermark in 2006, The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore received honors and merit in the communications category. Ranked in the top 15 of U.S. ports for overall tonnage, the port generates $1.5 billion in annual revenue and supports 33,700 jobs in Maryland.

The distinguished honor is another reminder that ports still are gateways to domestic and international trade, connecting America to a global economy. Managed by publicly and privately owned marine facilities, about 360 sea and river ports dot the American expanse.

More than 2 billion tons of domestic and import-export cargo were handled last year through ports along the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf, and Great Lakes coasts, as well as Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

By 2020, the total volume of cargo shipped by water is expected to be double that of current volumes, according to the AAPA. Commodities and finished goods such as lumber, machinery, automobiles, plastics, corn, wheat, iron ore and steel constitute much of the products shipped by boat or barge. About two-thirds of all U.S. wheat and almost one-third of soybean and rice production are exported via U.S. ports. On the import side, electronics from China, forest products from Brazil, wine from Australia and Italian shoes make their way to U.S. ports, giving American consumers access to a global marketplace.

Seaports such as Baltimore, New York, Los Angeles, Houston and other prominent ports still face present-day challenges. Security and environmental mandates are top priorities for port officials. Clear, mindful policy-making by the whole maritime community is needed to safeguard harbors and protect the environment. The good health and prosperity of American ports counts on it.

A longtime export analyst and consultant, Joseph R. Hughes’ maritime-related articles have appeared in numerous publications. He is a native Baltimorean. E-mail your questions to him at jhughes_47@yahoo.com.