Port History
The Port of Baltimore was established by the Maryland Colonial Assembly in 1706 for trade in tobacco with England. The Port of Baltimore’s Fells Point, the deepest area in the natural harbor, became Maryland’s major shipbuilding center where the famed Baltimore clippers were made. The first U.S. frigate was produced in the Fells Point area, as were the USS Constellation and USS Enterprise. From the late 1700s to the early 1800s, the shipyards produced more than 800 ships.
Soon after Baltimore was founded, the waterfront contained drydocks, warehouses, ship chandlers, and much industry. The arrival of major railroads in the first half of the 1800s made the Port of Baltimore a major transportation center. After the Civil War, coffee ships for trade with Brazil were created here. At the end of the 1800s, the Port of Baltimore housed terminals where several European ship lines landed emigrants.
Port Commerce
Today, the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore offers facilities for cargo and passengers. The Maryland Port Administration administers ports in the State under Maryland’s Department of Transportation. The Port of Baltimore has major roll-on roll-off and bulk facilities, especially for handling steel. Many water taxis operate in the Inner Harbor.
More than one-half million autos move through its terminals each year. Containers account for more than 60% of the cargo handled at Port of Baltimore’s public terminals. The Port of Baltimore targets forest products, and it consistently experiences double-digit growth in this area. The Port of Baltimore handles almost half of the East Coast’s roll-in roll-out cargo every year, more than twice the next largest port. Its access to major farm and construction equipment makers makes it the leading U.S. port for farm equipment.
Cruising and Travel
The Port of Baltimore’s dedicated 60 thousand square foot South Locust Point Cruise Terminal, providing seating for 750 passengers, is located near major highways.
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