LUMBER\\\ >> 12


fiber; buoyant demand for


softwood fiber driven by strong pulp markets and bioenergy in the form of pellets; renewed softwood lumber demand and announced capacity in the US South; and fiber constraints in the Pacific Northwest that have hindered growth and led to stagnant, but stable markets. “Structural changes have


affected the hardwood market in the South in ways that cannot be reversed,” states Pete Stewart, President and CEO of Forest2Market. “And the increased demand for softwood makes the resource- dense region a profitable destination with globally-low cost structures. However, any growth opportunity in the Pacific Northwest will be


Issue 1 2019 - FBJNA


recent volumes through November2018 show the port up 10% for paper but down 62 % for pulp.


forest products are rolled paper and pulp which is used to manufacture paper towels, diapers, facial tissue, napkins and more,” says Richard Scher, MPA spokesman. Baltimore keeps its


competitive edge by offering ample available warehouse space specially designated for forest products as well as an infrastructure that benefits all cargo movements: on-dock rail by two Class A railroads, marine terminals that are right off Interstate 95 and close to Interstate 70. “We also have labor experienced in handling forest products,” Scher states. BalTerm, which handles


Image 71: Mayor’s Point Terminal at the Port of Brunswick handles forest products such as paper and paperboard. (GPA photo)


Industry wide, however, “Our primary


he points to the challenges facing this commodity sector. “One is pricing pressure and competition from low cost competitors,” he says. “Another is finding reliable labor to safely handle


the


product in a quality manner.” According to BalTerm’s


website, the employees of BalTerm and its exclusive stevedoring company, Tartan Terminals, have the


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experience and knowledge to provide safe, productive, and damage-free handling of forest products product from ship’s hold to customers’ door. “Forest products require


clean, quality warehouses and special handling that reduces any damage and contamination,” Bailey says. “The port has built forest products grade warehouses, and we train our workers


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Wood pulp at Port of Mobile Pier C. (Alabama State Port Authority photo.)


hamstrung due to high costs and resource constraints.”


Port of Baltimore


Despite the challenges, forest products are an important commodity for seaports in the United States. For years, the Port of Baltimore has looked to his sector as one of its leading commodities and has been ranked as one of the top US ports for handling forest products. The Maryland


Port Administration’s most


cargo for many of the world’s largest forest product companies -- manufacturers


including of magazine


and tissue papers, is a major asset for the Port of Baltimore. BalTerm operates two two terminals at the port with 1.3 million square feet of warehouse space. “Trip” Morgan C. Bailey,


BalTerm president, tells FBJNA that the port has land to expand and build additional warehouses up to an additional 300,000 square feet if needed.


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