Waterman Steamship Corporation (Defendant) is a New York corporation with its principal place of business in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Government of Egypt Procurement Office (EPO) (Plaintiff) is a foreign governmental entity with its place of business at the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, D.C. The EPO purchases military equipment from the U.S. for export to Egypt.

On or aboutMay 14, 1998, at Alexandria, Egypt, Waterman accepted Plaintiff's cargo shipment of two military helicopters "in good order and condition' for direct transportation on Defendant's ship M/V ROBERT E. LEE to the Port of New Orleans, for ultimate delivery in Panama City, Florida. On or aboutAugust 27, 1998, the helicopters arrived n Panama City, Florida "seriously damaged and depreciated in value."

Plaintiff filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland onAugust 14, 2001. Defendant moved for dismissal on the ground that the venue in Maryland is improper.

In support of its filing in Maryland, EPO stated that it leases a warehouse in Maryland, where EPO employs an agent to arrange for cargo transports. Waterman has carried numerous shipments booked through the facility. Waterman is listed in shipping directories in Maryland.

Waterman points out that the M/V ROBERT E. LEE was never present in the port or waters of Baltimore, that no parties in suit reside in Maryland, and that the contract in question was signed outside of Maryland.

Does the United States District Court for the District of Maryland have personal (in personam) jurisdiction over Waterman Steamship Corporation?