Port of Virginia posts record month

The Port of Virginia set a new record in October, handling more than 270,000 TEUs, or 20-foot equivalent units. That total is more than 5,000 units above the port’s previous record.

The growth was driven by a 2 percent increase in loaded imports and a 14.5 percent increase in empty export containers. The port is trying to decrease its empty container inventory to improve efficiency and better focus on moving loaded containers.

The growth created congestion at the gate’s terminals, however. The Port of Virginia is undergoing expansion projects totaling nearly $700 million at its two largest terminals at the same time.

“The record volume, especially during construction, put a significant amount of pressure on the gates, and there were some trying moments last month for motor carriers,” John Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, said in a statement. “We are taking steps to create greater flexibility in our gate hours and add more chassis to the pool to build fluidity.”

October cargo snapshot

• Total TEUs – 270,538, up 1.9 percent
• Loaded export TEUs – 83,577, down 4.8 percent
• Loaded import TEUs – 127,677, up 2.1 percent
• Total containers – 150,931, up 0.9 percent
• Breakbulk tonnage – 11,738 (tons), down 23.8 percent
• Virginia Inland Port containers – 3,958, up 17.8 percent
• Total rail containers – 47,804, down 5.2 percent
• Total truck containers – 98,204, up 4.1 percent
• Total barge containers – 4,923, up 1.5 percent
• Richmond Express containers – 3,261, up 31 percent
• Vehicle units – 1,003 – down 56.3 percen