BalTerm’s Expertise, Relationships Make for Solid 2024 Outlook
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By DERON SNYDER (as published by Port of Baltimore Magazine)
Like many people outside the paper industry, Cameron Wiles never stopped to think about its pervasive nature, even as society becomes more and more digitized. But when he became General Manager for BalTerm last year, Wiles quickly realized that paper products are everywhere — not just in clinging-to-life newspapers and magazines, but also cartons, packaging, brochures, direct mail, boxes and toilet tissue.
BalTerm plays a leading role nationwide by servicing the world’s top forest-product producers at the Port of Baltimore, which imported a record 793,695 tons of paper in 2022.
The company began as a family business in the late 1980s and was established as a joint venture offering stevedore and warehousing services in 1990. In 2009, BalTerm was acquired by Logistec, a leading marine services provider, offering safe, reliable and sustainable cargo-handling expertise at 60 ports and 90 terminals across North America.
Handling It the Right Way
“We’re very niche in that we handle all of this paper and handle it very well,” Wiles said. “We’re focused and conscientious in how we handle different types of paper, which are very fragile products by nature. The same way you can rip a piece of paper at your desk, you could rip a piece of paper using a forklift. Our guys take pride in handling it the right way. It really takes a certain skill set.”
Between BalTerm’s stevedore and warehouse divisions, Wiles said the company has over 100 people working daily to safely handle the cargo.
“Metsä Group and UPM are based in Finland and they’re two of our larger customers,” Wiles said. “BalTerm is well-positioned for future growth and is open to handling new customers’ cargo of both local and international origin.”
After working previously in Houston and Tampa, Wiles is impressed with the Port’s sense of teamwork. He said the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) genuinely wants BalTerm to grow as much as the company does, and the administration is quick to support and assist in those efforts.
“Being from Houston, I have a lot of experience with oil and gas and solar commodities,” he said. “Some of those customers have expressed interest in coming to Baltimore and have us move cargoes that historically we haven’t moved through the Port of Baltimore. When I take these ideas to the MPA, instead of just saying yes or no, they say, ‘Yes, how can we help you?’
“Their willingness and ability to jump in and help us understand how we can handle our expansions has also really been beneficial and supports our ability to grow as a company,” he said. “It’s very reassuring to be a part of such a cooperative and collaborative community that helps us achieve the goals we have, as well as allows us to support them in achieving the goals they have.”
Growth on the Horizon
Wiles said BalTerm services six to eight vessels per month, each one requiring two to five days of labor. Although business might increase a bit in the summer, and ahead of the holiday season, he said the flow is pretty steady year-round.
“A lot of that is because of pivoting in the e-commerce business with boxes and the way specialty paper comes around,” he said. “These are very niche markets, with sharp ebbs and flows. Today it seems, everybody’s ordering something that uses a box or specialty paper, which keeps us steady when these ebbs and flows take off or slow down.”
He said issues at overseas mills and post-pandemic regression contributed to paper stalling somewhat last year after record numbers in 2022. But he expects a significant increase in imports and productivity in 2024.
“We’ve got a few significant events this year that I think will help our customers sell their materials,” he said. “E-commerce is also starting to figure out what its new life looks like since the pandemic.”
But paper is still on a roll, figuratively and literally (rolls weigh 7,000 pounds and would stretch 12 miles if unraveled).
“This industry has been very surprising,” Wiles said. “But it’s been very, very fun.”
