Panama Canal, Maryland Port Forge Ties

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement to increase economic growth and commercial activity between the two entities. Signed by ACP Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta and MPA Executive Director James J. White, the MOU will help spur trade, facilitate information sharing and promote the use of the “All-Water Route,” a shipping route to Asia from the U.S. East Coast via the Canal. The MPA oversees the six public marine terminals of the Port of Baltimore.

As part of the MOU, the ACP and MPA will conduct joint activities and share best practices. Specific areas of focus will include marketing, research and data interchange, technical advancements and personnel training programs. The agreement exhibits each organization’s dedication to meeting the anticipated increased levels of international trade. The MOU will help to continue this important trade exchange.

The Canal Expansion Program is also expected to bring larger ships to the U.S. East Coast and the MPA is undertaking its own efforts to increase capacity. The MPA is exploring the possible use of a public-private partnership to operate its Seagirt Marine Terminal and also fund a 50-foot berth. The MPA’s goal is to have that berth in operation when the Panama Canal expansion project is completed in 2014. The Port of Baltimore is currently one of only two U.S. East Coast ports with a 50-foot draft.

“This MOU demonstrates our desire to have a close, productive relationship with the Panama Canal Authority as we move closer to 2014,” said MPA Executive Director White. “Ships that now travel to West Coast ports will instead transit to East Coast ports following the expansion. We will want to be ready for that business.”

The Panama Canal expansion project will build a new lane of traffic along the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, which will double capacity, allowing increased traffic and wider ships.