The Port of Virginia’s October 2021 saw its third consecutive month of TEU volumes in excess of 305,000 units as its cargo volume surge continues.
During the month, the port handled more than 318,000 TEU and in doing so set a new single-month volume record. Loaded import volumes reached 148,212 TEU, an increase of 12.5% compared to October 2021, while export volumes reached 88,710 TEU, an increase of up to 6%.
“This is a strong run of volume and our operation, the team behind it and our labour partners are performing at a very high level,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority. “We are handling record volumes with no congestion issues. The productivity at our berths, gates and rail ramps is exceptional right now and we are delivering real value to our customers and the cargo owners choosing the Port of Virginia.”
Loaded imports and exports are driving the surge. This is demonstrated in the port’s container handling figures since August 2021, which saw the port process 444,600 TEU loaded imports, an increase of 19% compared to the same period in the previous year. Additionally, export loads totaled 254,600 TEU, an increase of almost 9%.
“We are growing in multiple areas and the key to continuing this trend is to emphasise delivery of service and market the port for all of its capabilities. There is no congestion here and the industry is taking note of our effort to ensure consistency across the operation,” Edwards added.
“We don’t foresee a slowdown because the long-term challenges to the supply chain are going to be there for some time. What we are seeing are more and more cargo owners working with their ocean carriers to diversify their supply chains and the Port of Virginia is very high on their list of considerations. Our goal is to exceed their expectations, maintain our efficiency, and demonstrate to them the value of doing business here.”
The Port of Virginia has recently ordered 18 Hybrid Shuttle Carriers from Kalmar to help handle the increased amounts of cargo. The order was booked in Cargotec’s Q3 2021 order intake, and delivery is of the machines is scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2022.
