Sparrows Point Container Terminal Permit Issued

In December 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District issued its Section 404/10/408/103 permit decision for the Sparrows Point Container Terminal (SPCT) project, a joint venture between Tradepoint Atlantic and Terminal Investments Limited, to construct a new container terminal and associated facilities at the Port of Baltimore.

The proposed project, which will be located on 330 acres within the existing Tradepoint Atlantic industrial development site in Baltimore County, required authorization from the Secretary of the Army, acting through USACE.

USACE was the lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the environmental review and permitting process at the SPCT site through FAST-41, a legislatively-established process for improving federal agency coordination and timeliness of environmental reviews for infrastructure projects.

The permit authorizes construction of an approximate 3,000 linear foot marine terminal consisting of a marginal wharf with ship-to-shore cranes, a container yard, gate complex, intermodal/rail yard, and various support structures which also includes upland excavation, a revetment and associated outfalls.

For vessel access to the wharf, the project will include deepening and widening of the existing Sparrows Point Channel and turning basin to -52 feet mean lower low water, requiring mechanical dredging and placement of approximately 4.2 million cubic yards of dredged material to be transported to approved locations. The channel entrance will continue to connect to the Brewerton Federal Navigation Channel.

As part of its review, USACE prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential social, economic, and environmental impacts of the proposed project and to contribute information to allow them to make a permit decision with respect to the permit application. The Final EIS addressed comments on the Draft EIS and included analysis and disclosure of the potential impacts of the SPCT project and reasonable alternatives on the natural and human environment.

The SPCT is the next major phase of redevelopment of the former Sparrows Point Steel Mill, an effort initiated in 2014 by Tradepoint Atlantic meant to enhance the economic strength of the Port by increasing its overall container capacity.

It would include an on-dock rail facility, which, in conjunction with the Howard Street Tunnel Vertical Clearance Improvement Project, would increase the throughput of containers through the Port, providing a foundation for sustained economic growth, enhanced supply chain efficiency and resiliency throughout the region.

For additional information on SPCT Regulatory review, visit the project’s website: https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/SPCT/

source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District