Tradepoint Atlantic and Sparrows Point Container Terminal releases dredged material sediment report for ocean placement

Sparrows Point Container Terminal (SPCT), a subsidiary of Tradepoint Atlantic (TPA) released an independent report of the results of a sampling and testing program for the evaluation of dredged sediment from the southern portion of Sparrows Point Channel for ocean placement. The sampling and testing program was conducted in conformance with a Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) that was reviewed and approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

The results from the report indicate that dredged material from the proposed widening and deepening of the southern portion of the channel meets the requirements for ocean placement under Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA). This report was commissioned by SPCT to study alternative options for dredged material placement.

First announced in 2022, SPCT is a joint effort from TPA and Terminal Investment Limited to develop a new container terminal within the Port of Baltimore. Once complete, the container terminal is projected to create over 8,000 direct and port affiliated jobs, add over $1.5 billion to Maryland’s economy annually, and position the Port of Baltimore as the third largest on the East Coast.

This project would require the Sparrows Point Channel to be widened and deepened to -50 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) to match the depth of the Brewerton Channel. The channel improvements would result in an estimated 4.2 million cubic yards of material to be dredged to accommodate the new dimensions needed in the Channel for safe passage of Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs).

Earlier this year, SPCT, in collaboration with EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC conducted an extensive survey to assess whether sediments in the South Channel segment of the Sparrows Point Channel were suitable for ocean placement. The results of the survey indicated that 1.57 million cubic yards of material (over one-third of the total dredged volume required for the container terminal) meet the MPRSA criteria for ocean placement. Ocean placement is one of several options for dredged material placement that is under review. If selected as a preferred option, the USEPA must issue a formal concurrence that the material meets the Section 103 MPRSA requirements, and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) must issue a Section 103 permit prior to transport and placement of the material at the Norfolk Ocean Disposal Site (NODS), a USEPA designated facility. NODS is located in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 17 miles east of Cape Henry and is approximately 50 square nautical miles in size. The site has unlimited capacity and is designated to provide capacity for long-term management of dredged material.

“The results of this extensive survey represent a significant milestone for the Sparrows Point Container Terminal Project and help confirm our understanding around sediment in this portion of the channel.” said Pete Haid, Senior Vice President of Environmental Compliance at Tradepoint Atlantic. “We continue to be fully committed that this project be conducted in the most community conscious, transparent, and environmentally responsible way possible.”

Sampling and testing for the North Channel segment of the Sparrows Point Channel were also conducted. SPCT will release the results of the North Channel study for review by public stakeholders once they are finalized. SPCT continues to evaluate several alternative placement sites for dredged material as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for the project.

SPCT and TPA remain committed to sharing additional environmental testing information with the public as it becomes available.