Paper shipper expands imports in Baltimore

Paper shipper expands imports in Baltimore

   Paper shipper M-real USA Corp., the U.S. division of a Finnish paper company, signed an agreement Tuesday to double its yearly imports in the Port of Baltimore.

   According to the Baltimore Sun, M-real’s annual import volumes in the port will increase to more than 300,000 tons. The newspaper also noted the shipper’s unusual commitment to an 18-year contract with the port.

   M-real is expected to begin importing the additional paper in February. Most of the paper shipments will be diverted from Philadelphia to Baltimore, the Sun said.

   The Port of Baltimore's paper volumes are on the rise. The port will handle about 700,000 tons this year and more than 900,000 tons in 2006. Most of the paper is sourced from large supply countries, such as Canada and Finland.