Baltimore port marks banner year in spite of Key Bridge collapse

The Port of Baltimore's state-owned public and private marine terminals handled 45.9 million tons of cargo in 2024, making it the second-best ever year after 2023 when the port handled a record 52.3 million tons, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced this week.

More than 25.5 million of the nearly 46 million tons of cargo were handled during the last six months of 2024. The total cargo had a value of $62.2 billion, third-most in the port’s history. The milestone comes as the port continues to recover from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in March 2024, which caused the port to close for months.

“These numbers reveal the hard work happening at the Port to finish the year strong, despite a challenging start," said Moore in a press release. "We are especially grateful to our port’s workers, whose indomitable spirit and dedication brought us to this moment."

Last year, the port handled 848,628 tons of roll on/roll off farm and construction machinery, ranking first among U.S. ports; and 749,799 cars and light trucks, ranking second nationally. The port also ranked second for salt and exported coal. Overall, the port finished 10th nationally for total cargo and 11th for dollar value among U.S. ports.

Another achievement last year was the launch of double-stacked containers on rail to and from the port as part of the Howard Street Tunnel project. A temporary route allowing double-stacked containers opened in October along the CSX network in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and on to the Midwest. When the tunnel's reconstruction is completed in 2026, the permanent and more efficient route will extend from Baltimore through the tunnel and on to the Midwest.

Earlier this month, Moore and the Maryland Department of Transportation unveiled the new design concept for the Key Bridge rebuild.