The Moore-Miller administration announced the opening of a new grain transloading facility at the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, providing Maryland farmers with a more direct way to export soybeans, corn, wheat and other grains to international markets.

The facility is located at the Seagirt container terminal operated by Ports America Chesapeake. It covers four acres and includes three grain silos with a combined capacity of 60,000 bushels. The facility functions as a full-service grain elevator and can load more than 200 containers per week. It was completed through a partnership between Ports America Chesapeake and Frey Commodities.

Previously, the Port of Baltimore did not have a direct transloading facility for moving grain from trucks into containers for export. Farmers had to deliver their grain to empty shipping containers at an offsite location, which then required additional transportation to the port.

Under the new system, farm trucks can enter the Seagirt terminal and deposit grain onto a conveyor system that moves it directly into a silo. Ports America Chesapeake can remove the grain from the silo when it is ready for shipment and load it into containers for export.

The facility is expected to reduce transportation and handling costs by eliminating offsite loading and additional truck transfers. It also is expected to reduce truck miles and emissions while streamlining the supply chain for regional grain producers.

A groundbreaking for the facility was held April 9.

Ports America Chesapeake operates the Seagirt container terminal under a public-private partnership agreement with the Maryland Port Administration. The company will operate the facility exclusively for Frey Commodities for export commodities.

Short-line rail access to CSX and Norfolk Southern will provide additional connectivity for Midwest producers and create a more direct export route through the Port of Baltimore.

The project is expected to benefit grain producers in Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania by providing more efficient access to overseas markets. The facility also will expand the port's ability to handle agricultural exports.

The Port of Baltimore ranked 10th among U.S. ports for foreign cargo value and 11th for total tonnage in 2025. It generates more than 20,300 direct jobs, with nearly 273,000 Maryland jobs connected to the port.

The port handled approximately 50 million tons of cargo in 2025, its second-best year on record. Seagirt also set records for the number of shipping containers moving through the terminal and for ship calls into the port's terminals.

In 2025, the Port of Baltimore handled more roll-on/roll-off farm and construction equipment and imported forest products than any other U.S. port. It ranked second among U.S. ports for autos, imported gypsum, salt and sugar, as well as exported coal.

Source: Maryland Governor Wes Moore, "Moore-Miller Administration Announces New Grain Transloading Facility at Port of Baltimore"