Port of Virginia's box throughput hits a record 238,567 TEU, up 2.2pc YoY

Port of Virginia's box throughput hits a record 238,567 TEU, up 2.2pc YoY THE port of Virginia handled a record 238,567 TEU in October, an increase of 2.2 per cent year on year. October marked the eighth straight month of container volumes exceeding 210,000 units. Rail units in October rose by 13 per cent; truck volume decreased by 2.5 per cent; and volume at Richmond Marine Terminal (RMT) was up 52 per cent compared to the same month a year earlier, reported American Journal of Transportation.  Year to date, the port's container throughput is up two per cent; rail units up 12 per cent; Virginia Inland Port volume up three per cent; and Richmond Marine Terminal volume, up 32 per cent year on year. "The peak season cargo is continuing and the volumes are being carried on bigger vessels that are rotating into the Atlantic trade," said CEO of the Virginia Port Authority, John Reinhart. "We are seeing ships in the 10,000-plus TEU range with regularity and larger vessels are on the horizon. "As we handle these volumes we are working to ensure efficiency in our operations, a high-level of customer service and a safe environment for everyone on the terminals. It is important to recognise the fact that we processed this volume as we addressed the challenges presented by Hurricane Matthew." Mr Reinhart expects the upwards trend in container volumes to continue, following the recent announcement that shipping lines participating in Ocean Alliance and The Alliance will call at the port of Virginia. Both alliances plan to begin operations in April 2017 when each will bring several new Asia and trans-Atlantic services to Virginia, including multiple first-in and last-out vessel calls. Mr Reinhart added that the port is undertaking a pair of large construction projects designed to improve efficiency at Norfolk International Terminals and Virginia International Gateway and increase annual throughput capacity by 40 per cent.