Barcelona, 2nd September 2010 - TEAM, the world leading designer and manufacturer of sophisticated Passenger Boarding Bridges (PBBs) for cruise and ferry terminals, has recently been awarded a contract by Maryland Port Administration to design and manufacture a Passenger Boarding Bridge for the South Locust Point Cruise Terminal in the Port of Baltimore, Maryland, USA. TEAM was selected as the preferred provider of a safe, comfortable and innovative PBB system after Maryland Port Administration conducted a competitive RFP process. TEAM is to deliver the PBB in early 2011.

Baltimore is the sixth busiest cruise port in terms of passengers on the East Coast of the USA, behind four ports in Florida and one port in New York. This year the Port of Baltimore will have a record 91 homeport cruises onboard Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity and for 2011 the Port of Baltimore is scheduled to have 113 homeport cruises.

The state-of-the-art PBB currently in design will help improve safety and comfort for cruise operations in Baltimore. The PBB is innovative as the system will be the first of its kind. It consists of an enclosed air-conditioned mobile walkway structure with four fixed tunnel sections leading from quay level up to a height of 7 meters. At this highest point an integrated rotunda connects the walkway module with a 3-tunnel telescopic boarding bridge, defined as a KRONUS. The KRONUS is also air-conditioned and features next to an electro-mechanical driving system an electro-mechanical lifting system to reach the required highest and lowest elevations and match up with ship shell doors on various cruise ships.

Michael Bozman, P.E., Manager of Permits and Special Projects at Maryland Port Administration said: “We look forward to working with TEAM on a new Passenger Boarding Bridge for our cruise terminal. The Port of Baltimore’s cruise business has been a remarkable success story in the last few years, even in the face of a very difficult economy. Our cruise terminal’s easy access from major interstate highways, convenient onsite parking, and friendly port staff are all integral reasons for that success. With an air-conditioned and mobile Passenger Boarding Bridge, our customers will enjoy another comfortable amenity as they embark and debark from a memorable cruise vacation.”

TEAM’s Passenger Boarding Bridge is completely mobile, has the capability to drive along the whole quay and is able to connect with cruise ship entry doors at various levels. The whole steel structure consists of glass mounted tunnel sections and the cabin of the PBB is equipped with a uniquely integrated telescopic docking ramp that, when attached to the side of a cruise ship automatically follows the vessel’s movements and will safely undock in the event of an emergency. The clearance under the PBB allow for continuous truck, equipment and supplies traffic on the quay. The PBB is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and meets all other current laws, regulations, codes and standards and satisfies operating requirements.

When in 2011 this PBB is in operation in Baltimore, TEAM will have installed a total of 13 PBBs at cruise terminals in the USA including Miami, New York, Mobile, Norfolk, San Juan and San Diego.