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New Deal Could Bring Even More Business To Port Of Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Maryland Port Administration strikes a deal that could bring even more business to the Port of Baltimore, which has already had a big year.

Monique Griego has the details of the agreement with France.

The Port of Baltimore gets a French connection. This week, the Maryland Port Administration signed a memorandum of understanding with the Port of Calais in France.

The formal agreement means the two ports will work together to increase cargo business.

"This is a really great opportunity," said Richard Scher, Maryland Port Administration.

Scher, spokesman for the Maryland Port Administration, says the world of maritime shipping is extremely competitive, so opening up communication and sharing information with new ports always ups its edge.

"If there's an in that this particular port has with a shipping line or customer that maybe we don't have, then that can open a door for us and maybe new business," Scher said.

And while it's not always the case, the Port of Calais has similar commodities as the Port of Baltimore.

"Such as roll on/roll off heavy machinery, autos and cruises," Scher said.

So far, 2013 has been a big year for the Port of Baltimore. It formally welcomed eight new giant cranes, making it one of two ports now able to handle the supersized freighters of the future. It also moved a record-breaking nine and a half million tons of cargo.

Now, with this new agreement signed, the work begins to drive that number even higher.

"Maybe some cross-training opportunities, some joint marketing efforts that will prove beneficial to both of us," Scher said.

The Port of Baltimore is number one in the U.S. for paper, farm construction machinery and cars. It has similar agreements with 15 other international ports.

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