Guest feature: Richard Scher is the director of communications for the Maryland Port Administration. Follow the Port on Facebook and Twitter.

Since last year, supersized container ships have been travelingthrough the newly enhanced Panama Canal and arrivingat the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore. In order to handle the increased amounts of containerized cargo, the Maryland Department of Transportation's Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) continues toexpand.

The MDOT MPA recently purchased property at the Point Breeze Business Center, located right behind the Seagirt Marine Terminal on Broening Highway in Baltimore. The newly purchased 70 acres of land will be used for additional cargo opportunities. This isthe first new land purchase for cargo opportunities since 1987, when land was purchased at the Fairfield Marine Terminal for automobiles.

"Since welcoming our first big container ship through the newly expanded Panama Canal last year, the Port of Baltimore has seen a significant jump in its container business," said Governor Larry Hogan. "With the purchase of additional land, the Port will have more ability to handle the increased economic activity while generating new job opportunities for Maryland citizens."

The MDOT MPA plans to utilize the additional land as a container storage location, but can also use it for autos and roll on/roll off storage. About 1,650 direct jobs are expected to be generated due to this purchase.

In 2016, the Port handled a record 538,567 containers. Since July, the Port has increased its productivity by seven percent, when the first large container shipped through the Panama Canal to Baltimore.

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