Port of Baltimore signs multi-year contract with Evergreen

Governor Martin O’Malley, joined by Department of Transportation Secretary John Porcari, Maryland Port Administration Executive Director James J. White and officials from Evergreen Marine Corporation, today announced that the Port of Baltimore signed a new ten-year agreement with Taiwan-based international shipping giant Evergreen Marine Corporation that will guarantee Evergreen’s continued shipment of containerized cargo through the Port of Baltimore.

“As a result of its impressive record, the State of Maryland and the Port of Baltimore are able to solidify a commitment from one of the top maritime shipping companies in the world,” said Governor O’Malley. “Long-term contracts like this are essential to sustaining the economic engine that is the Port of Baltimore. Good-paying, family-supporting jobs stay at this Port and stay in Maryland because shipping companies like Evergreen believe in this Port and this State.”

The contract is for five years with an additional five year renewal option. Evergreen, currently one of the Port’s top maritime container customers, is operating under a one-year extension agreement that will expire September 30, 2008. The new contract takes effect on October 1, 2008.

“There is no way to minimize this--- this is huge news for the Port of Baltimore,” said MPA Executive Director James J. White. “Evergreen has long been a valued partner for this Port, and today’s announcement ensures that they will continue calling the Port of Baltimore for many years to come.”

The minimum guarantee of the contract is for Evergreen to transport 40,000 loaded shipping containers to and from Baltimore. Evergreen’s business at the Port of Baltimore has been very strong, growing at an especially impressive rate in the last several years. In 2000, the Port handled 594,080 tons of Evergreen cargo. In 2007, the Port handled 1.3 million tons of Evergreen cargo, a 126% increase in just seven years. During that same time, the number of loaded Evergreen containers handled at the Port of Baltimore jumped from 35,517 containers to 62,526 containers.

"Ever since our first containership, the M/V Ever Spring, called at Baltimore in the summer of 1975, Evergreen Line has enjoyed a close partnership with the Port of Baltimore,” said Wesley Brunson, president, Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) Corp., North America agents for Evergreen Line. “Throughout all of the change over the past 33 years, Evergreen has remained loyal to its partners. The Port of Baltimore has done the same and earned the respect of its customers. It is the strength of our relationship, above all, that remains the force behind our success. That is why we are here today and that is why Evergreen will be here in the future".

Evergreen began serving the Port of Baltimore in 1975. They are the Port’s second longest-serving and second largest container customer. Evergreen is also the Port’s only shipping line that provides direct service from Asia, one of the fastest growing markets in the world.

The Port of Baltimore employs about 16,500 workers. Out of 361 US ports, Baltimore is ranked number one for handling imported forest products, roll on/roll off cargo, trucks, exported autos, and imported gypsum, sugar and iron ore. The Port of Baltimore is ranked 13th nationally for total foreign cargo tonnage and 12th for total dollar value of cargo. In 2006, the Port was responsible for $3.6 billion in personal wage and salary income. Activities at the Port of Baltimore generated $388 million in state and local taxes. As a result of its outstanding work to increase US exports, the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) which oversees the public terminals at the Port of Baltimore, was honored in 2007 with the Presidential “E” award. The award was created in 1961 to recognize persons, firms, or organizations that contribute significantly to increase US exports. The MPA was awarded this special distinction for its increased export business over the last several years.