THE Virginia Port Authority (VPA) has announced its Portsmouth, Newport News and Norfolk terminals handled 221,105 TEU in October, up seven per cent year on year.
In the first quarter of the 2015 fiscal year that started in July, the port posted a US$4.3 million profit, erasing last year's $3.4 million loss, and at the same time, ending six consecutive years of operating losses.
Year-to-date aggregate container volumes were up 7.1 per cent at 1,980,999 TEU compared to the same period in 2013, reported the Newport News Daily Press.
"October was the fourth consecutive month of volume exceeding 200,000 TEU, so the volume growth is strong," said port authority CEO John Reinhart.
"These volumes present a challenge to our delivery of efficient service to the motor carriers, and we are fully engaged in port-wide efforts to improve throughput for trucks."
As container volume rises, truck congestion remains an issue at the port's Norfolk International and Virginia Gateway International terminals, cutting into the port's monthly profit margin.
In September, the port authority only generated US$102,827 in operating profit. It is an improvement, when the port in the red, but still a disappointing figure given the amount of containers coming through, he said.
Truck volume increased 8.7 per cent in October, according to the report, with motor carriers moving 81,375 containers by truck at the port. That's 6,518 more containers than what was handled in October 2013.
"The wait times for drivers are simply too long," Mr Reinhart stated. "We are working to address that. The congestion is not a problem unique to the Port of Virginia, and we are working with stakeholders to deliver improved service."
Ideas proposed to reduce congestion at the port include increasing the amount of working chassis at its facility, lengthening gate hours over the weekend, providing 24-hour weekday service to help maximise motor carrier turn times, and increasing gate access during peak import/export arrival times.
PORTS
11 November 2014 - 23:13
Box volumes up Virginia's ports, but congestion eats into profits
THE Virginia Port Authority (VPA) has announced its Portsmouth, Newport News and Norfolk terminals handled 221,105 TEU in October, up seven per cent year on year.
PORTS
11 November 2014 - 23:13
Box volumes up Virginia's ports, but congestion eats into profits
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