(BALTIMORE, MD) --- Governor Martin O’Malley and the Board of Public Works today approved a $2.46 million contract that will allow the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) to purchase 4.72 acres of property adjacent to its South Locust Point cruise terminal. The property is currently owned by Transoceanic Cable Ship Company, Inc. The MPA intends to develop the land into approximately 530 additional parking spaces for the growing cruise business at the Port of Baltimore.
“The recent news that Carnival Cruise Lines will come to Maryland for year-round cruising in 2009 means that we will nearly double the number of cruises we currently have as soon as next year,” said Governor O’Malley. “The additional parking will be welcomed as we continue to demonstrate why our cruise terminal is so customer friendly and easy to access.”
Just a few weeks ago, Carnival, the world’s largest cruise line, announced that beginning in September 2009 the Carnival Pride will begin a two-year, year-round sailing schedule from the Port of Baltimore. This marks the first time in the Port’s 30-plus year cruise history that it will offer year-round cruising. The addition of Carnival gives the Port of Baltimore cruise service from the top three cruise operators in the world. Baltimore already is served by Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Lines.
This year’s cruise schedule includes 16 cruises from Royal Caribbean International and 11 from Norwegian Cruise Line. In 2009, Royal Caribbean will have 23 cruises depart from Baltimore while Norwegian is scheduled for 15 Baltimore-departing sailings. Carnival arrives in Baltimore in September 2009 and will sail once a week for the remainder of the year, as well as for all of 2010 and into 2011.
It is expected that the new parking spaces will be available by summer 2009. The MPA currently provides 524 onsite parking spaces.
CONTACT:
Richard Scher
MPA Communications
(410) 385-4480 |
