Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) became the Port of Baltimore newest auto customer after agreeing to a five -year contract with auto processor Amports that will bring approximately 65,000 vehicles a year to Maryland from its assembly plants in Japan.
The vehicles will be handled at the Amports-owned Chesapeake Auto Terminal. The addition of Mazda will help to create 450 new jobs, including 160 direct jobs.
“ We are very happy to welcome Mazda to the Port of Baltimore, ” said Transportation Secretary James T. Smith, Jr. “ As the number one auto port in the nation, the Port of Baltimore is also one of our state’s leading economic generators. Thousands of good-paying, family-supporting jobs are created by our very active and busy Port. As Maryland’s economy continues to grow, the Port of Baltimore is again demonstrating why it is a leader in our state for bringing in new business and jobs.”
The Maryland congressional delegation is responsible for the Port of Baltimore receiving federal dredging dollars that keeps the channels leading to the Port wide and deep enough to accommodate today’s large commercial vessels. Without accommodating channels, these vessels would not be able to safely reach the Port of Baltimore and would instead take that business and the family-supporting jobs that come with it to competing ports.
From dredging dollars to security funding, thanks to Team Maryland, the Port of Baltimore continues to be a great economic engine for the State of Maryland and a success story that serves as a model for many U.S. ports.
[mappress]
Press Release, August 19, 2013