Thread: Port of Baltimore Investigating Additional Cruise Terminal

Port of Baltimore Investigating Additional Cruise Terminal

The Port of Baltimore is looking at adding another cruise terminal, according to Richard Scher, director of communications for the Maryland Port Administration.

“We’re in the early stages, having internal discussions,” commented Scher. “Cruising from Baltimore has been successful, so, we are looking at the long-term business.”

The port has gone from 27 calls in 2006 to a scheduled 112 for 2011.

“The growth has been phenomenal; we opened up in 2006 with a dedicated terminal that is right on I-95.

“The second terminal would be a bit down the road in the North Locust Point Marine Terminal. We want to keep it as close to I-95 as possible, since most passengers drive here.”

Scher pointed out a public-private partnership agreement signed with Ports America last year for the cargo side of operations, calling it an “industry changing” agreement that is allowing the port to build a new container berth.

Scher added that because of that, they were entertaining a similar option for a second cruise terminal.

“We embarked about 190,000 passengers in 2010 and are planning to embark 220,000 in 2011,” said Scher.

The big increase in calls is mostly due to AIDA, which will have two ships based in the Northeast during the 2011 fall season.

Scher added that Baltimore began year-round cruising in 2009, after serving as a seasonal port for many years.

“We’re positioned in the middle of one of the largest and wealthiest population markets in the U.S. The cruise terminal’s excellent ‘drive-to’ location allows for easy access,” he continued.

The economic impact of the cruise business in Maryland was reported at $80 million in 2009 and $90 million for 2010.

The Port of Baltimore will welcome a new passenger boarding bridge and canopy to enclose the cruise terminal building this year. The passenger boarding bridge will be flexible to accommodate various ships and will be HVAC-ready, added Scher.

That will be a nice addition. Char, I don't know if they intended it that way, but read the last line of the article. Now look at the picture of the ships. Is that what they mean by "various ships"?

This will be interesting to see what happens. The governor wanted to invest in this a couple of years ago, but because of budget constraints was denied. The State of Maryland is in worse economic condition than it was a couple of years ago, so I wonder if this new development is serious or just wishful thinking.

While I'd like to see them upgrade the current terminal, I'm not crazy about them moving a new one back to Locust Point. For one thing, those of us who live south of Baltimore have to go through the tunnel to get there, whereas with the current terminal, we don't. Plus, the current terminal is right beside I95 and very easily accessible, whereas Locust Point is a couple of miles away from I95 and you have to deal with lots of truck traffic because of the cargo ships.

After discussions with RCCL, I was told that they took out the Grandeur of the Seas and replaced it with the Enchantment of the Seas because of an upsurge in bookings. They also said if the trend continues, they have been talking about bringing a Radiance-class ship here, which would be a wonderful upgrade. But obviously that will depend on how well the Enchantment keeps selling.

Anyway, as I said, it'll be interesting to see how all this plays out.

Pete

it would a awesome and definitely give more options