THE Virginia Port Authority, operating the ports of Portsmouth, Newport News and Norfolk, posted an 8.2 per cent year-on-year increase in November container volume to a record 208,764 TEU, reported the Hampton Roads Daily Press.
Year-to-date container volumes in the first 11 months, continued to outperform previous records, up 7.2 per cent year on year to 2,189,762 TEU.
"Though we're past peak season, we're not seeing a significant let-up in our volume," said Virginia Port Authority CEO John Reinhart, a fact it attributed to cargo diversion because of west coast labour troubles.
To offset disruption, retailers have increased stock in their Midwest warehouses and shifted imports to east coast ports, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
Port officials also said companies have rerouted ships through the Panama and Suez canals for cargo from China, India and the Middle East.
The port finished November with operating profit of US$904,000, erasing a year-on-year November operating loss of $2.95 million after a string of eight profitable months.
The port's operating profit in the five months since the beginning of fiscal 2015 is $5.53 million, compared with an operating loss of $7.79 million in the same period of fiscal 2014.
The port introduced a six-day workweek at Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) and Virginia International Gateway (VIG), relocated the chassis yard and made changes to the empty container receiving and dispatch process.
"Our most significant initiative that we're implementing is the introduction of automated gates at NIT," Mr Reinhart said. "The automated gate system is designed to quicken the entry and exit to the terminal for motor carriers."
In November, truck volume increased by 9.3 per cent, moving 76,699 containers by truck in November, 6,505 more than handled in the same month last year.
"Our drivers are facing long wait times at the gates," Mr Reinhart said. "We averaged 5,000-plus roundtrip moves per day at the gates in November and the turn-times for drivers were too long. We are continuing to work with drivers and stakeholders and from within to improve the experience at gates."
In a year-to-date comparison, rail volume is up 3.6 per cent; Virginia Inland Port up 13.9 per cent; barge containers up 16 per cent; truck containers up 8.7 per cent; ship calls up 4.6 per cent; and vehicle units down 0.5 per cent.
In November, the port worked 163 vessels (container, breakbulk and ro-ro), an increase of 10 per cent.
"We've had a good start to the fiscal year and it says a lot about the Port of Virginia's team-effort to listen, adapt and innovate," said Mr Reinhart.
PORTS
19 December 2014 - 21:59
Virginia Ports post 8.2pc increase in November volume to record 208,764 TEU
THE Virginia Port Authority, operating the ports of Portsmouth, Newport News and Norfolk, posted an 8.2 per cent year-on-year increase in November container volume to a record 208,764 TEU, reported the Hampton Roads Daily Press.
PORTS
19 December 2014 - 21:59
Virginia Ports post 8.2pc increase in November volume to record 208,764 TEU
This news 9219 hits received.
These news may also interest you