The Port of Virginia in November moved 240,570 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), handled nearly 20,000 tons of breakbulk (non-containerized) cargo and processed more than 6,500 new  import cars.

“Our TEU volume was modest, up nearly two percent, we showed slight container growth at Virginia Inland Port and our efforts to diversify our cargo mix with non-containerized cargo are showing promise,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA). “November was the fourth consecutive month of growth in import autos for us. Though we are still processing peak-season volume, we are beginning to see a tapering-off trend, as anticipated.

“The work at Virginia International Gateway continues in earnest,” he added. “The first bundle of RMGs (rail-mounted gantry cranes) will arrive in January and the pace of work at Norfolk International Terminals is going to pick up significantly in January. Our focus is managing these two projects while staying safe and maintaining our service and efficiency levels. This will add cost while we manage through the expansion and we are prepared for that eventuality.”

On a calendar year basis, TEU volumes are 7.3 percent ahead of last year; containers, up 7.6 percent; trucks, up 9.5 percent; rail, up 3.3 percent; and barge volume, up nearly 25 percent.

“There are several positive things happening that are going to help build business and drive efficiency,” Reinhart said. “We are preparing to put into service on the Richmond Express (barge) a 40-plug mobile power unit that will serve owners and shippers of refrigerated cargo to Richmond Marine Terminal. Further, VDOT is nearing completion of the I-564 Intermodal Connector and this ramp will give motor carriers using the NIT North Gate unimpeded interstate access. Finally, our wider, deeper, safer effort to deepen Norfolk Harbor and the channels to 55-feet continues to move forward in a positive direction.”