Students Explore Global Trade and Sustainability in CGB Industry Trek

As part of the Careers Crossing Borders Series, the Center for Global Business (CGB) organized a one-day trek for Smith School students to explore industry-leading sites in global connectivity, logistics, and sustainability. The itinerary included Hughes Network Systems’ manufacturing facility in Germantown, the Port of Baltimore, and the Baltimore office of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). From advanced satellite hardware assembly to high-capacity roll-on/roll-off terminals and net-zero shipping initiatives, students gained a deeper appreciation for the infrastructure powering global trade and connectivity.

The morning began at Hughes Network Systems’ state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Students were welcomed by Cris Parcelles, BFin ’92, financial systems director and CGB advisory board member. Kartik Seshadri, vice president of international systems and service delivery, and Daniel Losada, vice president and general manager of the international division, offered an overview of Hughes’ global operations, partnerships, and international business practices.

Students toured the facility’s automated production lines, observing streamlined processes and rigorous quality checks that ensure the reliability of Hughes’ products worldwide. They also joined a panel discussion with senior leaders in operations, supply chain, and manufacturing, who shared real-world insights and advice on navigating today’s global business landscape.

Next, the group visited the Port of Baltimore, home to 50-foot-deep shipping channels that rank among the deepest on the U.S. East Coast. Guided by Nick Porter, BCO account executive at the Maryland Port Administration, students explored the Seagirt Marine Terminal’s roll-on/roll-off docks, through which more than 847,000 cars and light trucks passed in 2023, making Baltimore the nation’s top auto-handling port for the thirteenth consecutive year.

Port activity reflected broader trade trends. “What were once warehouses full of imported magazine paper are now stocked primarily with cardboard pulp for shipping boxes,” Porter noted. Students also observed how changes in tariffs have led to a decline in certain imports and exports, illustrating the far-reaching impact of trade policy.

The final stop was at MSC’s Baltimore office. Federico Lecchi, branch manager, introduced MSC’s global strategy and sustainability commitments. The company, operating 846 vessels with more than six million TEUs in capacity, shared its interactive dashboard tracking 215 trade lanes across 500 ports. Lecchi also outlined MSC’s plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and its partnerships with the MSC Foundation to support marine conservation and alternative-fuel research.

“Learning that MSC aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 reinforced how essential sustainability is in global logistics,” reflected one student pursuing a master’s in supply chain management.

The Careers Crossing Borders series helps students explore career paths in international business and gain firsthand insight from industry professionals. This event was supported in part by CIBE, a Title VI grant from the U.S. Department of Education.