The Port of Virginia in Norfolk, US, has announced its operating results for March, 2015. It reported volume growth of 16% year-on-year, having processed a record 229,000 TEUs over the month.
“In March we handled 229,000 TEUs, which averages to 7,400 TEUS each day and that is a significant amount of volume on a day-in, day-out basis,” said John Reinhart, CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority. “That amount of volume, some of which was carried over from February, presented a challenge to our team at every phase of the operation and it was most acute at Virginia International Gateway, where our operational consistency was overtaken by sheer TEU volume. Our delivery of service at the VIG gate for the first three weeks of March was unacceptable.”
The record volume forced the port’s operations team to take a series of immediate measures to address the volume and restore operational tempo. The interim remedies included steps to reduce density in the stacks, a temporary embargo on empty containers arriving by rail, the addition of more cargo handling equipment and extended operating hours at the gates and did help to alleviate the congestion.
In March the port’s total for truck moves was up 17%; rail containers, up 17%; Virginia Inland Port volume, up 3%; barge containers, down 6%; and vehicle units, up 148%. For the period from January 1, 2015, and April 10, 2015, the port’s TEU volume was up 10% compared to the same period of 2014.
“Our truck volumes did not let up any in March; we processed more than 81,400 truck moves despite the challenges,” Reinhart said. “We understand the hardship this period put on our motor carriers and customers and we are grateful for their patience through what has been a very difficult period.”
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