New auto berth opens at Baltimore port

Last week, Maryland Port Administration and Maryland Department of Transportation officials marked the opening of a new auto berth at the Port of Baltimore’s Masonville/Fairfield Marine Terminal.

Equipped to handle rail shipments, the new facility replaces a berth that had been in operation for more than 70 years. A CSX Transportation spur is adjacent to the Masonville/Fairfield terminal. The new 1,175-foot-long berth is nearly 300 feet longer than the old one, and is 20 feet wider.

The Port of Baltimore last year handled more than 750,000 vehicles, the highest volume among U.S. ports.

"This new auto berth will further bolster the Port of Baltimore's already strong reputation as the leading auto port in the U.S.," said Maryland Transportation Secretary James Smith in a press release.

Baltimore is ranked as the top U.S. port for handling autos and light trucks, farm and construction machinery, and imported forest products, sugar, aluminum and gypsum. The port ranks second for exported coal.