Virginia's Hampton Roads posts 24pc increase to 188,658 TEU in August

THE Port of Virginia, centred of Hampton Roads, has posted a 24 per cent increase in August container volume year on year to 188,658 TEU, crediting the jump to 50 feet of new channel dredging that drew in mega ships for the first time.

During the fiscal year to date, the port increased container volume eight per cent to 1.36 million TEU with rail containers rising 15 per cent to 247,217 TEU.

The port saw a 200 per cent increase in August traffic between Richmond and Hampton Roads to 780 TEU via its 64 Express barge service year on year. The barge service volume was up 105 per cent to 5,978 TEU year to date over the same period.

The Virginia Inland Port based at Fort Royal experienced a healthy surge of container activity to 3,465 TEU, a 34.8 per cent jump year on year and 4.8 per cent year-to-date.

Vessel calls at the Port of Virginia were up by 13.9 per cent during the month and in the year so far showed an increase of nine per cent. August breakbulk was up 15.3 per cent to 25,413 tons year on year, and up 6.6 per cent to 237,570 tons year to date.