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US port sets single-month volume record after handling 200,000 TEU in July
The Port of Virginia handled over 200,000 TEU in July and by doing so set a new record for single-month cargo volume, shattering the former mark set nearly six years ago.
“This is the first time in our history that we have eclipsed 200,000 TEUs in a single month,” said interim executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, Rodney Oliver.
“The record-high container volume also marks the best fiscal-year start in the port's history.”
The former single-month record was 199,448 TEU set in October 2007.
Last month, the port moved 205,137 TEU a 13.7 percent increase in volume when compared with the same month last year, with volumes for the calendar January through July also up 7.2 percent to 1.25 million TEU.
“In July, we saw a nice balance of import and export cargo – a bit heavier on exports — meaning customers are taking advantage of those first-in and last-out port calls here,” added Oliver.
Import TEU tallied 98,774 and exports were 106,363 in July, increases of 14.9 percent and 12.7 percent, respectively. For the calendar year, imports are up 8.9 percent and exports are 5.7 percent.
Virginia’s breakbulk business was also on the rise in July. The port handled 37,584 short tonnes of breakbulk cargo last month making it the best month for breakbulk business since last November.