Port of Virginia sees 9 percent volume surge in March

The Port of Virginia saw a 9 percent increase in container traffic in March, reflecting a major boost after two soft months.

In March the port handled 252,230 TEUs, or 20-foot equivalent units, which is 8.7 percent, or 20,082 more units when compared with last March.

“March’s volumes were a nice rebound from largely static volumes in January and February,” John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA), said in a statement. “We expect volumes to continue to climb and as a result we are focusing on ways to improve the delivery of service to the motor carriers and our ocean carriers, specifically at VIG (Virginia International Gateway), where transactions have been slowed as the result of our capacity expansion project there.”

The port is undergoing two major capital investment projects at its two largest terminals: Norfolk International Terminals and VIG in Portsmouth. When complete, the port’s capacity will grow 40 percent.

The port’s fiscal-year (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018) volumes continue to track ahead of last year: VIP volume is up 3.6 percent; RMT, up 17 percent; total barge traffic up 5.4 percent; truck volume up 7.5 percent; vehicle units up 2.7 percent; breakbulk tonnage up 5.5 percent; and rail volume was flat.

March Cargo Snapshot

•  Loaded Export TEUs – 98,648, up 6.8 percent
•  Loaded Import TEUs – 113,123, up 13.5 percent
•  Total Containers – 142,869, up 8.4 percent
•  Virginia Inland Port Containers – 2,721, down 4.1 percent
•  Rail Containers – 49,235, up 2.1 percent
•  Truck Containers – 89,782, up 13.2 percent
•  Total Barge Containers – 3,852, down 9.3 percent
•  Richmond Barge Containers – 2,553, up 25.9 percent
•  Vehicle Units – 1,757, down 52.2 percent