SEVERE winter weather was blamed by the Port of Virginia for a nearly four-day closure and a one per cent year-on-year decline in February container volume to 178,000 TEU.
Five ships were delayed by weather resulting in a 7,000-TEU drop in February volume as well as a nine per cent fall in rail throughput to 30,421 TEU and a 21 per cent decline in barge traffic to 3,242 TEU.
Port officials say that if the five vessels had not been delayed, 7,000 containers extra containers would have been counted, that would have represented a 5.8 per cent increase in February traffic.
Frigid weather and heavy snow forced the port to close on February 16 and February 25, reported the Hampton Roads Daily Press.
"The weather forced us to close for nearly four days and that had a direct negative impact on every phase of our operation: gates, vessels and rail," said Virginia Port Authority CEO John Reinhart.
"Following resumption of operations we were still contending with bitter cold and icy conditions that hampered productivity," Mr Reinhart said.
"The cargo volume is still trending higher and we have to improve service quickly with the improved weather conditions," he said.
Gate hours have been extended until 9pm for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and gates will be open all day on Sunday, port authority spokesman Joe Harris said. Gates usually close at 7pm.
PORTS
17 March 2015 - 08:07
Port of Virginia blames winter shutdown for 1pc fall in February volume
SEVERE winter weather was blamed by the Port of Virginia for a nearly four-day closure and a one per cent year-on-year decline in February container volume to 178,000 TEU.
PORTS
17 March 2015 - 08:07
Port of Virginia blames winter shutdown for 1pc fall in February volume
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