Baltimore (USBAL)

The port is situated on the Patapsco River and is one of America's busiest deepwater ports and industrial centres. Along the 72km long shoreline there are a variety of public and private terminals. Principal export cargoes are coal (amounting to approx half of total cargo tonnage for the port), waste paper, automobiles and light trucks. The main import cargoes are automobiles, light trucks, farm and construction machinery, petroleum products, gypsum, sugar, alumina, salt, crude mineral substances, fertilisers and related materials and ferroalloys. Update 13th Jun. 2024 - Following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on the 26th March 2024, the channel has now officially reopened and is expected to return to normal levels of commercial shipping traffic by next month.

Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Baltimore is located close to the northern extremity of Chesapeake Bay in the State of Maryland, eastern USA. The port is approx 150nm from the open sea.

LOA 368.99m, beam 51.2m, draught 14.5m, 211,116DWT.

Approx 46,000,000t of cargo, 1,100,000TEU and 3,500 vessels handled annually.

..... Anchorage No/Name Location Use No. 1 39°15.00'N 76°33.97'W Short-term anchorage for deep draught vessels. No. 2 39°15.00'N 76°33.05'W For vessels up to 7.3m draught. No. 3 Upper 39°14.75'N 76°33.16'W For vessels with a draught over 7.3m. No. 3 Lower 39°14.52'N 76°32.87'W For vessels with a draught over 7.3m. No. 4 39°14.10'N 76°32.50'W For vessels with a draught less than 9.1m. No. 5 39°13.60'N 76°32.80'W For vessels with a draught of 5.8m or less. No. 6 39°13.70'N 76°32.00'W For vessels with a draught up to 6.1m. No. 7 39°13.13'N 76°33.80'W Restricted to laid up and dead vessels. These anchorages are subject to certain regulations and restrictions.

The port is one of the few harbours on the East Coast to have a 15.24m (50ft) deep Access Channel and Deepwater Berth at Seagirt Martine Terminal. Baltimore is approached from sea through channels in Chesapeake Bay from the Virginia Capes to Fort McHenry with a project depth of 15.24m and a least width of 213m. The inland route is via Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and entered through Patapsco River between Bodkin Point (39°08.0'N 076°26'W), and N Point, 3.75nm NNW, project depth 10.7m, width 122m. The Curtis Bay Channel has a depth of 15.2m. The 122m wide section of the channel provides access to multiple facilities. The Ferry Bar Channel (East section) has a depth of 12.8m, width 183m. East Channel and turning basin has a depth of 14.9m, width 183m. West Channel and turning basin has a depth of 12.2m, width 183m. Other Branch Channels: There are several other channels which serve to connect the main shipping channels with various public facilities throughout the Port of Baltimore. The branch channels include: West Seagrit Branch Channel; Seagrit/Dundalk Connecting Channel; West Dundalk Branch Channel; East Dundalk Branch Channel; and South Locust Point Branch Channel and turning basin. Poplar Island: As part of an expansion project (reclaimed land) the US Army Corps of Engineers have commenced work to create an additional 232 Hectares (575 Acres) of additional land using clean material dredged from the Maryland Chesapeake Bay approach channels to the Port of Baltimore. Large rocks have been placed off the island, allowing dredged material to be placed in the sea between the shoreline and the rocks. Submerged rocks have been marked by cautionary buoys, which may not be marked on some charts. Vessels should not venture inside of these marked areas.

BA 2850. Admiralty Pilot NP69, NP286(5).

A USCG Station with SAR facilities is situated in 39°11.9'N 076°34.2'W, at Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard in Arundel Cove.

1005-1008.

CONSOL Energy Coal Pier (Ship side): a new fendering system for larger vessels has been installed, running approx 215m along the pier from its end.

Compulsory. Baltimore Harbour Pilots normally board just inside the Francis Scott Key Bridge. ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND PORTS: Each vessel entering the Chesapeake Capes under foreign flag or carrying foreign cargo is required to employ a pilot of the Association of Maryland Pilots, which has an office in Baltimore. They provide service to any port in Maryland and service the area between Cape Henry, VA, to Baltimore. ETA should be transmitted 24 hours and 6 hours before arrival at pilot station. ETA and speed should be emailed along with draught to dispatch@mdpilots.com. (Telephone: 410 342 6013, Fax: 410 276 1364, telex: 87 574 MARPILOTS BALTIMORE). Maryland Pilots maintain a Pilot Tower with Virginia Pilots at Cape Henry Pilot Tower VHF Ch 11, 13 and 16. Pilots carry a portable radio unit, which provides a ship bridge to bridge communication system to ensure navigational safety while traversing the waters of Chesapeake Bay. THE VIRGINIA PILOTS ASSOCIATION: Has an office in Norfolk and (Telephone: 757-496-0995; Cable address VAPILOT) and provides pilot services to any port in Virginia. Vessels bound for Washington, DC may take a pilot from either association. Inbound and outbound traffic is monitored by the Cape Henry Pilot Tower on shore just seaward of Cape Henry Light. The Pilot Tower maintains both a radar and radio watch for the area. Vessels should contact the Pilot Tower on VHF Ch 16 when they will be directed to a working frequency. Vessels are requested to contact the tower 2 hours prior to arrival at the pilot boarding area. Pilots are dispatched from Lynnhaven Inlet by high speed, all weather boarding launches and will rendezvous with vessels at "CBJ" Buoy, approximately 3.3km ENE of Cape Henry Light. Pilots may request a relief pilot during transit who will board the vessel at the Pilot Transfer Station located 144km northward near the Patuxent River. Under certain conditions of speed and draught, 2 pilots will be provided at the outset of the transit. Currently the second pilot is provided if the pilotage is expected to be more than 15 hours. Relief pilots are provided at no extra charge. For faster vessels the trip to Baltimore is approximately 8 hours. For slower vessels, the pilot is relieved at Cove Point which is approximately half way up the Bay. THE PILOTS' ASSOCIATION FOR THE BAY AND RIVER DELAWARE: For the northern approach to Baltimore via the C&D Canal, pilots of this Association have responsibility for vessels from the Sea Buoy, at the entrance of the Delaware Bay, to Chesapeake City. Maryland Pilots board at Chesapeake City to complete the trip to Baltimore. Harbour Pilots, members of the Association of Northern Chesapeake Docking Pilots, are supplied via the tug companies to dock vessels in Baltimore Harbour.

North Point for arrival purposes. The limits of the port include the entire length of Patapsco River and its tributaries.

A system of buoys with lighthouses and range lights at strategic points. Major lights: Craighill Channel Front Leading Light (39°11.3'N 076°23.7'W); Craighill Channel Upper Leading Light (39°12.0'N 076°27.0'W).

Depth: Approach to the port is initially made along the deep water channel in the Chesapeake Bay. Closer approach is made along the main ship channel, minimum width of 213m and a depth of 15.2m. On the northern approach, via the C&D Canal, depth is 11.7m and minimum width is 122m. Bridges: Max vertical clearance on the C&D Canal is 41.4m (Bridge construction on south side channel, currently reduced to 38.1m, north side channel 41.1m 04/13) and, via the Chesapeake Bay, Francis Scott Key Bridge is 56.0m. Shoaling: The Baltimore Maritime Exchange has advised that shoaling in the Upper Chesapeake channels as a result of Hurricane Sandy has been addressed and normal maximum drafts are now in effect again for all C&D Canal transits. Dredging work has been completed and subsequent surveys have confirmed that, with immediate effect, the maximum safe draught for all upper Chesapeake vessel transits is once again set at 10.05m FW MLLW.

Range 0.3m currents are too weak and variable to be predicted.

C&D Canal traffic is controlled by Corps of Engineers. No other traffic schemes exist. The Pilot Association informally manages traffic flows in and out of Baltimore.

Vessels are met near Fort Carroll, 3.75nm NNW of N Point. Three tug companies are available for assistance, Krause Marine Towing, McAllister Towing Co and Moran Towing Co. There are normally 9 tugs on hand from 1,750hp to 5,100hp. Tugs normally provide the tow lines. Moran Towing operate the following: ..... Name Horsepower Mark Moran 5,100 Annabelle Dorothy Moran 5,100 Harriet Moran 3,005 McAllister Towing & Transportation operate the following: ..... Name Horsepower Robert E. McAllister 4,000 Karleen McAllister 3,300 Donal G. McAllister 3,000 The city of Baltimore maintains a fire boat in case of a water front emergency.

Prevailing winds: W'ly. Ice jams are a frequent occurrence off Baltimore Harbour, which may, itself, occasionally freeze over. Navigation may be blocked for small, low-powered vessels for limited periods of time during these colder months.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 39°15.31'N 76°34.07'W UNCTAD LOCODE: US BAL For details see: CHESAPEAKE BAY PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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WEEKLY CORRECTIONS FROM UKHO NtM WEEK 43/24 U.S. Coast Pilot 3 Update LNM 24/24 & LNM 28/24, (RSDRA2024000260141), 43/24

..... Port: VHF Ch: 11 Call: Baltimore Maritime Exchange. Tel: +1 410 385 4400, +1 410 385 4700. Fax: +1 410 333 3402, +1 410 333 1126. Website: www.mpa.maryland.gov Tugs (Moran Towing): Tel: +1 410 732 9600, Fax: +1 410 732 9622. Website: www.morantug.com (24 hours). The Port Information Service provides details of vessel movements and local/harbour conditions.

Customs boarding officer in addition to inspecting documentation will also examine Ship's Register and Load Line Certificate. The following documents will be required for formal entry within 48 hours of arrival from abroad or 24 hours from arrival from a United States port: ..... 1. Master's Oath (Customs form 1300) 3 copies 2. General Declaration (Customs Form 1301) 3 copies 3. All foreign clearances 4. US Certificate of Payment of Tonnage Tax (Customs Form 1002) 5. US Vessel from foreign ports to submit form 226 6. Foreign Repairs in order to calculate duty 7. Certified Crew List (Visa Crew List - US Immigration) 8. All CF368 Customs Receipts on file from prior US ports 9. International Tonnage Certificate showing the official gross and net tonnage of the vessel. Immigration: At a first port of entry, crews and passengers are routinely inspected by the US Department of Immigration. Visas and passports will be required or restrictions implemented depending on the individual's native country or how they arrived at port.

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information. Notify Pilots 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival; designate via Chesapeake and Delaware Canal or Cape Henry plus speed of vessel and deepest draught. Notify pilots two hours in advance of arrival at the sea buoy at Cape Henry.

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

No pre arrival pratique on direct foreign arrival. Pre arrival notice is required by the US Coast Guard and US Department of Agriculture. Until the US Department of Agriculture board the vessel at its berth, the vessel has not received free pratique. Vessels arriving coastwise have pratique on arrival. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Normal tendering is outside Cape Henry except for Amstar when it is at the pier. The custom of the port for tendering is dependent on the next business day and commencement of cargo operation.

Port or terminals rarely send messages as this is the agents' responsibility.