Maryland Is a Maritime Commerce and Shipbuilding State With One of the East Coast's Busiest Ports.

Maryland's Port of Baltimore is one of the leading cargo ports on the East Coast, and the state's maritime sector spans commercial shipbuilding, ship repair, maritime logistics, and the Chesapeake Bay vessel services industry that employs tens of thousands statewide.

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110K+

Jobs in Maryland tied directly or indirectly to the maritime, port, and shipbuilding industries.

$5B+

Contributed to Maryland's economy annually by port and maritime activities.

Top 8

Top eight busiest port on the U.S. East Coast by cargo volume — Port of Baltimore.

Key Companies Driving Growth

Chesapeake Shipbuilding, the Maryland Port Administration, and a broad network of Chesapeake Bay vessel operators anchor Maryland's maritime workforce in Baltimore and along the Bay.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding (Salisbury)

Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury is one of the few remaining commercial shipbuilders on the East Coast, constructing passenger ferries, dinner cruise vessels, and specialty craft for operators across the United States. It is a key employer for Maryland maritime fabricators.

🌐 ~300 MD employees

Maryland Port Administration (Port of Baltimore)

The Port of Baltimore is the nation's leading port for roll-on/roll-off cargo — automobiles, trucks, and heavy machinery — and a major handler of bulk commodities and containers. The port supports tens of thousands of jobs across the greater Baltimore metropolitan area.

🌐 ~47,000 direct and indirect jobs

BAE Systems Baltimore Ship Repair

BAE Systems operates a commercial and government ship repair facility in Baltimore's Patapsco River basin, providing drydock overhaul services for roll-on/roll-off vessels, container ships, and government craft. A key employer for skilled trades professionals in the Baltimore area.

🌐 ~600 MD employees

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The Case for Virginia

Why Technicians Choose Maryland

Shipyard workers Virginia
01

Baltimore Is the Nation's Leading Port for Automobile and Heavy Equipment Imports

The Port of Baltimore handles more cars and trucks than any other port in the United States, creating a distinctive and stable cargo operations and logistics career ecosystem that is less exposed to container market volatility than peer East Coast ports.

02

Chesapeake Bay Creates a Unique Layer of Commercial Vessel Demand

Maryland's 4,000-mile Chesapeake Bay shoreline generates ongoing demand for workboat maintenance, ferry repair, and small vessel services that complement the large-scale port and naval work available in Baltimore, giving maritime technicians diverse career options.

03

Strong Wages With Access to a Major Metro Labor Market

Baltimore's maritime trades offer competitive wages with access to housing and communities across a broad metro area, with many maritime workers living in affordable communities well outside the city while commuting to port and shipyard roles.

04

Federal Ship Repair Contracts Support Long-Term Employment

BAE Systems and other Baltimore-area ship repair operators hold ongoing federal maintenance contracts, providing a base of stable long-term employment for skilled trades workers across hull repair, electrical, and outfitting specializations.

Opportunities in Maryland's Maritime Sector

01

Marine Welder

Fabricate and join steel components for commercial ships, Bay vessels, and government craft at Baltimore-area shipyards and repair facilities. Welding is among the most consistently in-demand trades in Maryland's maritime sector.

02

Ship Repair Technician

Perform hull, mechanical, and structural maintenance and repair on commercial vessels and government ships at Baltimore dry-dock facilities. A stable career with strong wages tied to both commercial and federal maritime activity.

03

Port Equipment and Crane Technician

Maintain and service cranes, cargo handling systems, and dock equipment at the Port of Baltimore's Dundalk and Seagirt Marine Terminals. A growing technical career category as port automation investment accelerates.

Ready to Launch Your Maritime Career in Maryland?

Whether you are repairing vessels at BAE Systems in Baltimore, building ferries at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, maintaining cargo equipment at the Port of Baltimore, or supporting the broad network of Chesapeake Bay vessel operators and commercial maritime employers across Maryland, careers here connect a rich maritime heritage to a strong economic future.

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