b'PORT OF BALTIMORE: LEADING AND EXPANDING IN THE RO/RO SPACETradepoint Atlantic facility looking to increase auto processing capacity.by Peter Buxbaum, AJOTJune 2023 | Published in AJOT Issue #754I n May, the Port of Baltimore completed its 25th annualMarine Terminals, a stevedore at the Port of Baltimore. We Ro/Ro Rodeo, a two-day training program for newly hiredmake sure to go above and beyond to provide our team with longshore workers to learn how to operate high and heavythe proper safety training and our customers with excellent machinery safely, and correctly. The event is emblematic ofcustomer service.Baltimores leadership in the roll on/roll off transportationCeres Terminals is dedicated to increasing safety ini-sector. tiatives for all locations, Taylor added. One of the ways No other port has a similar program like our rodeo,that the company improves the safety focus is through safety noted William Doyle, the ports executive director.stations for longshoremen to participate in safety training According to the United States Department of Labor,events, such as the Ro/Ro Rodeo.the transportation industry has one of the highest numberBaltimore is the top high and heavy ro/ro and auto port in of unplanned incidents, and, together with the constructionthe nation. Last year, the port handled a record 765,019 tons andextractionoccupations,accountedfornearlyhalfofof imported high and heavy farm and construction equipment, fatal occupational injuries in 2020. Workers in transpor- ro/ro cargo, beating the ports previous record of 603,516 tons tationandmaterialmovingoccupationsandconstructionin 2019. The port is reconstructing our ro/ro berths, said and extraction occupations accounted for nearly half of allDoyle, to better accommodate the larger and heavier pieces fatal occupational injuries (47.4%), representing 1,282 andof ro/ro equipment in the industry and that are now being han-976 workplace deaths, respectively, noted a Department ofdled at the Port of Baltimore.Labor report, underscoring the need for safety events suchOn the auto side, Baltimore handled 750,163 cars and light as Baltimores Ro/Ro Rodeo. trucks in 2022, dealing with more of those vehicles than any Ceres Marine Terminals other U.S. port for 12 consecutive years, said Doyle. Balti-The rodeo provides our team and International Long- more has been able to hold onto the top ranking for both high shoremens Association (ILA) members with the opportunityand heavy ro/ro and autos and light trucks because of our geo-to practice handling different types of machinery so that theygraphic location, being the closest East Coast port to the Mid-are fully prepared for the job at hand, said Zach Taylor,west, and our highly skilled and experienced labor force.health, safety, security, and environment manager for CeresThe port also has a unique quality control program for Ceres Marine Terminals at the Port of Baltimore18'