Finnish forest product producer signs deal to expand business at Port Of Baltimore

Metsä Group of Finland and Logistec, as terminal operator Balterm, will consolidate all Metsä Group’s mid-Atlantic volumes through the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, the companies announced Tuesday.

The three-year contract commences Jan. 1 and includes options for an additional three years, for a potential six-year total.

Under the terms, Metsä and Balterm will lease 797,980 square feet of warehousing space at the South Locust Point and Dundalk state-owned public marine terminals, an increase of more than 300,000 square feet – or more than 60% – compared to the current Metsä contract signed in 2016.

Projected annual volumes from the new Metsä Group contract include 370,000 tons of rolled paper used to produce packaging materials commonly used in the food service industry, as well as liner board used to produce cardboard materials, and pulp used to produce tissues, paper towels and napkins. Each giant roll of paper can weigh up to 7,000 pounds and, if unraveled, would stretch about 12 miles in length.

As part of the P3, work is progressing on a second 50-foot berth that will allow two massive ships to visit the port at the same time. That berth, and four new supersized cranes, are expected to be operational by summer 2021.

The growing container business also accentuates the need for the Howard Street Tunnel expansion project in Baltimore, which will accommodate the use of double-stacked rail cars to move cargo from the port. That project is benefitting from public-private investment from the state, CSX and others.

The port generates about 15,300 direct jobs, with nearly 140,000 jobs overall linked to Port activities. Last year the port handled a record 43.6 million tons of cargo, including more than 11 million tons of general cargo at the state-owned, public terminals. The Port of Baltimore ranks first among the nation’s ports for volume of autos and light trucks, roll on/roll off heavy farm and construction machinery, and imported gypsum. It ranks 11th among major U.S. ports for cargo handled and ninth for total cargo value.