Every Ton of Cargo Handled, Hauled or Moved by Diesel

FREDERICK, Md. - Last year, the Port of Baltimore handled 38.4 million tons of cargo, making 2017 the port’s third-highest year for cargo tonnage on record and the highest in nearly 40 years according to the Maryland Port Administration. Every ton of cargo that passed through the Port of Baltimore was handled, hauled or moved by diesel power in some manner. 

“Achieving these kinds of results requires a fleet of highly orchestrated, reliable and powerful land-side, water and rail equipment to move and prepare cargo, marine vessels to position large ships in and out of berth, and switch locomotives to stage rail freight and heavy-duty trucks. Nearly all of it is powered exclusively by diesel,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum. 

“Diesel-powered vehicles and equipment are the prime movers of global commerce, fueling success like that being observed today in the Port of Baltimore,” continued Schaeffer. “The industry’s continuous evolution to near-zero emissions technology and even greater efficiency ensures that diesel will continue to be the workhorse for sustainable goods movement in green ports like Baltimore and others around the world.” 

"It is particularly noteworthy that the Port of Baltimore handles the United States’ highest volume of shipments of heavy farm, mining and construction machinery. Each day, new generations of high-tech and high-value diesel-powered construction and farm equipment from leading U.S. and global equipment makers pass through the Port of Baltimore, on its way to doing productive and efficient work while also helping make a cleaner environment.” 

As Maryland Governor Larry Hogan stated in October 2017, "The Port of Baltimore continues to break records while striving to reach the highest environmental standards. The Port has successfully balanced moving our state’s economy forward while protecting our natural resources and improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay.” 

The Port of Baltimore has also been a leader in strategic environmental investments to modernize and upgrade existing diesel engines and equipment to the latest generation models, which have the capacity to meet the Port’s demanding duty cycle while also delivering significant and immediate emission reduction benefits to Maryland. Beginning in 2009, the Port of Baltimore implemented innovative programs to incentivize these kinds of emission-reducing clean diesel updates. 

Since 2012, a port repower/replacement program led by the Maryland Port Administration has successfully replaced more than 170 older drayage trucks with clean diesel models, upgraded more than 26 pieces of cargo handling equipment, and installed anti-idling devises on locomotives that run through the port. These efforts substantially reduced emissions both at the Port itself and in nearby communities, and earned the Port recognition by Inbound Logistics magazine as a Green Supply Chain Partner. 

“Clearly, clean diesel is an important partner in the Port of Baltimore’s success,” said Schaeffer.