Record August Cargoes at Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia tallied the most productive August in its history, moving 240,605 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a 2.2 percent increase when compared with the same month last year.

“As construction progresses at VIG (Virginia International Gateway) and the civil work at NIT (Norfolk International Terminals) continues, the port team is performing at a very high level with no reduction in service levels and the safety of our colleagues as our first priority,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA). “Heavy construction on the south-side stack yard at NIT will begin just as the peak season nears its end, so our timing on that project ensures a successful start with minimal disruption to the operation.”

On a calendar-year basis, total TEU volumes are up 7.4 percent; containers up 7.7 percent; rail, up 4.7 percent; trucks, up 9 percent; and barge, up 26 percent.

“We are tracking for a solid performance for the calendar year on top of several recent successes,” Reinhart said. “We signed the contract for the new ship-to-shore cranes for VIG – the largest the manufacturer, ZPMC, has ever delivered to the U.S. We were the first port call for the (CMA CGM) Theodore Roosevelt, the largest ship ever to call the U.S. East Coast and its twin, the John Adams, called this week (Sept. 6). The number of ship calls is dropping, but the vessels are getting bigger so we are continuing our effort to ensure our channels are deeper, wider and safer to accommodate two-way maritime traffic. And our Class-1 rail partners are expanding double-stack service into Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.”

Reinhart also highlighted growing port-related economic development activity with the opening of Emser Tile’s first East Coast warehouse and distribution center in Suffolk. Emser officials said the facility’s location was chosen in order to take advantage of the port.