Project Information
Project Title:
Sparrows Point Container Terminal
Sector:Ports and Waterways Type :Port expansion or improvement undertakings or projects
Project Location Address:
- Street address 1: 6995 Bethlehem Blvd
City: Baltimore
State: Maryland
Zip: 21219
County: MD
Coordinates:
- Latitude: 39.211222
Longitude: -76.490349
Project Sponsor Contact Information:
- Company Name/Agency: Tradepoint TiL Terminal, LLC
Project Sponsor: Tradepoint TiL Terminal, LLC
Street Address: 6995 Bethlehem Blvd
City: Baltimore
State: Maryland
Zip: 21219
POC Name: Tom Caso
POC Title: Director
POC Work Phone: 410-382-6667
POC Email Address: tcaso@tradepointatlantic.com
Alternative Point Of Contact (Optional):
Project Purpose:
Tradepoint TIL Terminals is a joint venture between Tradepoint Atlantic (TPA) and Terminal Investments Limited (TiL). This joint venture was formed to construct the Sparrows Point Container Terminal (SPCT) on 330 acres in Baltimore Maryland. SPCT will expand the Baltimore service for Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which will create thousands of additional port related jobs and dramatically enhance and support the long-term growth of the Port of Baltimore and the State of Maryland. The project is in alignment with E.O. 14017 “America’s Supply Chains” and provides improvement to the country’s supply chain resiliency. SPCT will also maximize federal and state investments in the Howard Street Tunnel expansion project. At full build out, SPCT will double the size of the Port of Baltimore, positioning the port as a leading top-tier port on the eastern seaboard. The SPCT is also the next major phase of redevelopment of the former Sparrows Point Steel Mill, an effort undertaken in 2014 by Tradepoint Atlantic. The project will continue TPA’s success in remediating the environmental conditions at the former steel mill. The project represents a major growth opportunity for the State of Maryland and the Baltimore region, further increasing the number of jobs created at TPA.
Project Description:
o Location: The project location is Tradepoint Atlantic, a 3300-acre industrial development in Baltimore County, just southeast of Baltimore City. SPCT occupies a 330-acre site on the southwest corner of Tradepoint Atlantic known as Coke Point. Approximate latitude and longitude is 39.211222, -76.490349.
o Planned Studies: Extensive studies are in planning and/or underway. These studies include, but are not limited to, wetlands delineation; plant surveys for listed species; terrestrial habitat survey; fish surveys (multiple gear types targeting different species guilds); plankton surveys; water quality, sediment and nutrient sampling; phase I cultural resources survey and data review; and vessel use surveys.
o Cultural Resources: No significant impacts on cultural and historic resources are anticipated. Further evaluation of potential impacts will be conducted through the NEPA process and compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act. Past assessments performed by TPA for two federal infrastructure grants in areas adjacent to this project revealed no adverse effects on historic/cultural resources.
o Impacts to Tidal Waters of the United States: The project’s primary anticipated environmental impact is associated with the tidal waterways surrounding the project location. The project will impact the existing open water in three ways. The project will: (1) require dredging of approximately 4,000,000 CY of material to widen and deepen the existing Sparrows Point channel to accommodate the container vessels; (2) construct a 3000 LF open wharf pier adjacent to the existing shoreline for the vessels to berth; and (3) construct an approximately 100-acre dredge material containment facility on the west side of Coke Point for placement of the dredged material generated by the project. Both dredging and the development of the DMCF will impact open water and subaqueous bottom. Studies currently underway will assess current conditions and analyze potential project impacts.
o Impacts to Navigation: Dredging activities will intersect with the existing Brewerton Channel, creating the potential for impacts to navigation. The project team is working with USACE to develop a Section 408 permit application, which will be filed with USACE in Fall 2023. Although construction of the DMCF is outside the navigation channel, potential impacts to navigation associated with the DMCF construction will be evaluated as part of the NEPA review.
o Impacts to Traffic: Temporary traffic impacts are expected during project construction. A study is underway to analyze how project operation will impact local traffic.
o Environmental Justice: Likely environmental justice communities are located in the project study area. An analysis of potential impacts to environmental justice communities will be included as part of the impact analysis.
o Alternatives: The project proponent is conducting an alternatives analysis to evaluate a range of feasible and reasonable alternatives to allow for the placement of dredged material. These alternatives will be studied as part of the NEPA process, and will include an assessment of reasonably foreseeable impacts to other environmental, community, and cultural or historic resources.
Technical and Financial Ability:
The project sponsor is a joint venture between Tradepoint Atlantic (TPA) and Terminal Investment Limited. Tradepoint Atlantic has been redeveloping the 3300 acre site in Baltimore for 9 years including investing over $2.0 billion dollars to develop and lease over 14 million square feet of distribution and industrial facilities and create over 15,000 new jobs. Terminal Investment Limited (TiL) is majority owned by MSC, the world’s largest container carrier. TiL owns, develops and operates container terminals throughout the world, and is the third largest container terminal operator in the United States. Together, this partnership provides the knowledge and success to develop complex projects at TPA with the worldwide expertise of developing and operating container terminals. The full financial backing of both TPA and TiL will lead to successful development and operation of the SPCT.
Summary of Financing, Reviews and Authorizations:
Based on preliminary discussions with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the project is anticipated to require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The project team has submitted a Joint Permit Application to the Maryland Department of the Environment and the USACE to confirm the appropriate level of NEPA review. The project does not anticipate requiring any Federal Financing at this time, thought the project will plan to explore grant opportunities as the project design progresses. The project anticipates federal authorizations through the following laws and agencies: Clean Water Act, Section 404 with USACE and Section 401 through USEPA; Rivers and Harbors Act, Section 10 and Section 408 with the USACE; Endangered Species Act, Section 7 with USFWS and NOAA; Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Section 305(b)(2) through NOAA for essential fish habitat; Coastal Zone Management Act, Section 307; Marine Mammal Protection Act, through NOAA; Clean Air Act through USEPA, Executive Orders 11988, Floodplain Management and 11990 Wetlands Management through USACE; Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, Section 103 through EPA (if ocean disposal of dredged material is a selected alternative).
Project Assessment:
o Summary of SPCT’s qualification for a covered project based the following two categories:
§ 4370m(6)(A)(i)(I) – The project is subject to NEPA. Based on preliminary discussions with USACE, based on the anticipated impacts to environmental resources, the project will require preparation of an EIS
§ 4370m(6)(A)(i)(II) – The initial project budget is approximately $1,000,000,000, which surpasses the $200,000,000 threshold.
§ 4370m(6)(A)(i)(III) – The project does not qualify for abbreviated authorization or environmental review processes.
o And/or
§ 4370m(6)(A)(iv)(I) – The project will require authorization from and an environmental review from more than two federal agencies. We anticipate coordination between USACE, EPA, NOAA, USFWS, NMFS, and others.
§ 4370m(6)(A)(iv)(II) – The project will require preparation of an EIS.
o Statement of Reasons: The project’s scope and necessary investment in planning and development costs are fully consistent with the statutory criteria. Moreover, the likely benefit resulting from the SPCT far exceeds the minimum threshold when ancillary employment and spillover economic activity are considered. The project supports essential administration priorities as reflected in multiple White House Executive Orders, including the reinforcement of critical supply chain infrastructure, and investment in environmental justice communities. The project’s NEPA review will require coordination between multiple federal agencies with jurisdiction over water resources and water quality management. The anticipated EIS will address complex technical issues, including the analysis of strategies related to the storage of dredged material and the continued management of environmental remediation in the vicinity of the existing TPA development. The NEPA process will involve extensive engagement with neighboring communities and local government to fully consider potential project impacts, as well as beneficial economic opportunities stemming from project construction and operation.
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