The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore hosted its largest-ever container ship – the 1,200-foot-long Gunde Maersk – earlier this week.
The massive vessel was able to call the Port of Baltimore because of the Port’s 50-foot deep channel and its supersized NeoPanamax cranes.
Commenting the latest news, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said: “As a leading economic engine for our state, the Port of Baltimore is well-positioned to continue welcoming some of the largest container ships in the world . Our administration will continue making the necessary investments to help this vital asset grow and ensure that the Port remains open for business.”
Previously, the largest container ship to visit the Port of Baltimore was an MSC vessel in 2017 with a capacity of 9,700 TEU containers.
The Port of Baltimore is one of the few ports on the East Coast to have a 50-foot deep channel that is necessary to accommodate large ships.
In September, Governor Hogan and the Maryland Board of Public Works approved a contract that will complete the fill in of a wet basin at the Port’s Fairfield Marine Terminal.
According to their official announcement, this will create more land in a prime location adjacent to the piers to help handle the Port’s surging auto cargo.