Port of Virginia sets all-time monthly TEU record

The mid-Atlantic port broke its own all-time record for productivity in May by moving 246,871 TEUs during the month, an increase of 12.5 percent from May 2016.    The Port of Virginia broke its own all-time record for productivity in May by moving 246,871 TEUs during the month, which, according to its data, is growth of 12.5 percent compared to May 2016.
   “May marks our highest monthly volume at the port, surpassing the previous record set last October by five percent and with the fiscal year drawing to a close (at the end of June), we are up more than seven percent,” Virginia Port Authority CEO and Executive Director John Reinhart said in a statement.
   Last month’s growth came on the heels of back-to-back calls from 13,000-TEU vessels at the port in May.
   “The new alliances and the cargo owners are capitalizing on Virginia’s natural and man-made assets and our team is performing well,” Reinhart said. “This kind of volume, combined with the growth we’ve had throughout the calendar and fiscal year, tells us that the industry is confident in the Port of Virginia’s ability to handle their cargo.”
   May cargo numbers at the port include 85,824 TEUs of loaded exports, up six percent from May 2016; 100,594 TEUs of loaded imports, a nine percent jump; 141,218 total containers, which was up 13 percent; 46,840 rail containers, a three percent increase; 4,084 barge containers, up a whopping 49 percent; and 90,294 truck containers, an 18 percent rise.
   According to an analysis of the new ocean carrier alliances published in April by ocean carrier schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting, the Port of Virginia is the top U.S. East Coast port for deployed capacity for Asia-U.S. East Coast alliance services, with seven services deploying more than 61,000 TEUs each week.
   As the vessels are increasing in cargo capacity, the number of vessel calls is declining. In May, there were 143 vessel calls compared to 173 calls in May 2016, yet cargo surged more than 12 percent, according to Virginia Port Authority data.
   The port authority owns and operates four general cargo facilities: Norfolk International Terminals, Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Newport News Marine Terminal and the Virginia Inland Port in Warren County. It also leases Virginia International Gateway and Richmond Marine Terminal.
   An expansion of Virginia International Gateway is underway, and the port authority is also preparing to open the new North Gate at Norfolk International Terminals at the end of June.