Ports and terminals
Baltimore builds on resilience for auto throughput despite headwinds
The port of Baltimore has had a tough couple of years following the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which closed the main channel in and out of the port for three months in 2024. Recovery of volumes in 2025 was not helped by the disruption to vehicle imports caused by US tariffs imposed in April 2025.
“The inconsistent, almost day-to-day changes of [the tariffs] have been hard on our industry,” said a spokesperson for the port at Maryland Port Administration (MPA). “Auto manufacturers have been wondering should they pay the tariffs or change their business models and produce more cars in the US. As a result, our auto volumes were impacted.”
However, the efforts made by carmakers and vessel operators to get volumes delivered ahead of Trump’s tariffs made for a busy first quarter at Baltimore last year and helped the port maintain its position as one of the busiest vehicle ports in the US through the rest of 2025. Baltimore finished the year with its second-best throughput ever, with 50 million total tons of cargo processed.
That included more than 728,000 finished vehicles, second only in volume to the port of Brunswick across all of the major US vehicle-handling ports. Baltimore port has maintained a steady annual volume over 700,000 vehicles for the last 13 years. “That's a strong testament to our highly-skilled International Longshoremen's Association workforce, our excellent auto supply chain, and the fact that we offer more auto processing facilities onsite than other ports,” said MPA’s spokesperson.
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imports | 602,622 (-5.98%) | 641,000 (-5.2%) | 676,381 (+17.8%) |
| Exports | 125,603 (+15.4%) | 108,799 (-36.2%) | 170,777 (-3%) |
| Total | 728,225 (-2.8%) | 749,799 (-11.4%) | 847,158 (+12.9%) |
Managing tariff volatility
Terminal operator Amports processed more than 300,000 of the total volume of vehicles last year, most imports, at its three facilities on the Atlantic, Chesapeake and Dundalk terminals. Amports serves 14 vehicle makers at Baltimore.
Echoing MPA, a spokesperson for Amports said that the primary challenge in 2025 was volume variability caused by shifting tariff policies along with other market conditions. These "created complexity in workforce and equipment planning”. Added to which vehicle makers faced significant uncertainty in managing tariff exposure.
“Amports worked closely with automakers to maintain operational fluidity, adapting quickly to fluctuations in demand while preserving throughput efficiency,” said the spokesperson. “The activation of foreign trade zone capabilities in Baltimore provided additional flexibility, helping customers better manage tariff impacts and inventory strategies.”
Vehicle throughput was optimised with upgrades to Amports’ yard management system (YMS) in 2025. The company increased automation of key processes to improve efficiency, accuracy and real-time visibility, while reducing reliance on manual inputs.
“Looking ahead, we expect to expand the use of advanced technologies and data-driven tools to further streamline operations, enhance decision-making and deliver greater value to our OEM partners,” said Amports’ spokesperson.
Greening the terminals
Amports also reports advancing several sustainability initiatives across its Baltimore operations in 2025. It has strengthened recycling programmes, expanding the reuse of tyres in yard operations to reduce vehicle damage.
Amports is reviewing solar energy applications and has maintained stormwater management to help protect Chesapeake Bay. It has also updated its standard operating procedures and revised safety guidance, including improved protocols for hazardous materials management.
This year the company will focus on reducing the environmental impact of terminal operations on the surrounding communities in Baltimore as part of its adherence to the voluntary global maritime environmental certification programme Green Marine. Planned actions include expanded no-idling initiatives and continued preparation for a formal Green Marine self-evaluation in 2027.
Looking ahead, Amports expects challenges for the automotive sector to continue in 2026 but said it anticipates maintaining 2025 volume levels, with potential for modest growth as market conditions stabilise and supply chains continue to adapt.
