EVERGREEN America Corp and the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) have signed an agreement that will keep the Taiwan-based line at the port's Seagirt Marine Terminal until February 1997. Contained within the agreement is a renewal provision that, if agreed to by both parties, would keep Evergreen as a Seagirt tenant until October 1999, the governor added. ''We are extremely pleased at Evergreen's long-term commitment to the Port of Baltimore,'' Maryland State Governor William Schaefer said. ''Evergreen has been a valuable customer since soon after Seagirt opened in 1990, and we are happy that they have chosen to remain at Seagirt. ''With this new agreement, the state and the Maryland Port Administration are also renewing our commitment to do everything we possibly can to make sure Evergreen continues to be successful in our port.'' He said Evergreen was an extremely important customer and partner, and one of the main reasons why Seagirt has such a great worldwide reputation. Governor Schaefer travelled to Taiwan in 1990, as did US Congresswoman Helen Bentley, and those visits were instrumental in Evergreen's decision to make a base at Seagirt three years ago. Under the terms of the agreement, Evergreen Lines will continue to occupy berth number two at Seagirt Marine Terminal, the port's modern container handling facility which utilises three berths and seven high-speed cranes. In addition, Evergreen will continue to be provided with eight hectares of space - adjacent to berth two - to receive, deliver, load, discharge, and store containers and related cargoes. Since its first year at Seagirt in 1991, Evergreen has seen its containerised business increase by more 28 per cent. It is one of the top steamship lines operating in the port. Evergreen America Corporation is the US-based subsidiary of Evergreen Marine Corporation of Taiwan.