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Virginia sets new monthly record in October handling 265,490 TEU

THE Port of Virginia's terminals handled a record 265,490 TEU in October, representing a year-on-year increase of 11.3 per cent. Total throughput volume was 7.5 per cent higher than in May, the previous record-setting month.

Total volume in October included 126,557 TEU of imports, up 8.1 per cent against the same month a year earlier; and 138,933 TEU of exports, up 14.3 per cent year on year. Total truck containers rose by 14.4 per cent to 94,304; rail containers were up 3.9 per cent at 50,441; and total barge containers at 4,850 were up 45.6 per cent, reported AJOT.

Commenting on October's record throughput, Virginia Port Authority CEO John Reinhart said in a statement that to "do so safely and with efficiency is testament to the high level at which the port of Virginia team and our labour partners are performing."

Mr Reinhart continued: "The berth, gate, rail and barge operations are all flowing. Our strategic growth plan is firing on all cylinders. We continue to move containers more swiftly, safely and sustainably than ever before.

"Our breakbulk tonnage increased nearly 12 per cent and automobile imports jumped nearly 103 per cent. Next week we are going to put our new 40-plug mobile power unit to work on the Richmond Express and this development will help to build refrigerated cargo business moving across Richmond Marine Terminal."

For the first 10 months of the calendar year, total TEU volumes are up 7.9 per cent; containers, up 8.2 per cent; rail, up four per cent; trucks, up 10 per cent; and barge volume, up 28.5 per cent.

Peak season volumes, arriving on ultra-large container vessels, are steady, and Mr Reinhart said the trend is expected to continue through December. Furthermore, construction teams are making good progress on the expansion at Virginia International Gateway (VIG).

The first rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs) are scheduled for delivery in January 2018 and are set begin operations by late April.