Going Above and Beyond- Even in the Harshest Conditions
Teamwork and collaboration during Baltimore’s first major winter storm
Baltimore’s first major winter storm of the year brought historic snowfall and extreme conditions. Snow fell at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, with 8.6 inches recorded in Baltimore City and 11.3 inches at BWI Airport, the highest snowfall there since 2016. With temperatures in the teens, heavy ice accumulation created serious operational challenges across terminal yards.
At the Atlantic and Chesapeake terminals, snow and ice severely limited access to vehicles scheduled for vessel loading.
“It looked as though 217 units booked to load would certainly be cut due to extreme accumulations of ice and snow on and around the staging area.”
Joe Wojciechowski, MOL Port Captain
Rather than accepting disruption, teams came together in an exceptional display of collaboration. Baltimore Port Terminal (BPT)—Amports’ stevedoring subsidiary—worked side by side with the ILA, Teamsters, MOL, and Amports operations and engineering teams. Additional personnel and snow-removal equipment were mobilized, and a detailed plan was executed to safely clear, re-stage, and prepare vehicles for loading.
“The collaboration of these three groups working to clean and clear these units from the ice was incredible. This group of men worked in total harmony and coordination… it was actually impressive to witness.”
Joe Wojciechowski, MOL Port Captain
Despite extreme conditions and tight timelines, the teams remained focused on safety, execution, and customer commitments. “They were relentless in their resolve to complete this assignment, up to clearing the last vehicle for loading to the vessel,” Wojciechowski added.
While all Amports teams in the Baltimore area faced similar challenges during the storm, this effort highlights the dedication and teamwork of the BPT stevedoring team at the Atlantic and Chesapeake terminals. It is a powerful example of how Amports collaborates with partners to overcome obstacles, ensure business continuity, and consistently deliver for our customers—no matter the conditions.
About Green Marine:
Green Marine is a unique environmental certification program that addresses multiple sustainability issues within the marine industry. Its participants, which include over 180 shipping companies, port authorities, terminal operators, and shipyards, commit to exceeding regulatory compliance and continuously improving their environmental performance. Through concrete actions and collaborative initiatives, Green Marine fosters industry-wide progress toward reducing environmental impact and promoting greener maritime operations.
“She has been incredibly helpful as I’ve learned this operation. Her willingness to explain processes, answer questions, and jump in wherever needed has made her an invaluable partner.”
OEM Customer
A Bright Future Ahead
Katelyn represents the future of automotive logistics: deeply passionate, highly capable, and eager to keep growing. Her efforts have strengthened AMPORTS’ relationships with a key customer and contributed directly to smoother operations at our Jacksonville terminal.
AMPORTS is proud to celebrate Katelyn—and the many women across our organization who are redefining what leadership looks like in our industry.
