The Port of Virginia achieved a new annual record for container cargo volume. Specifically it handled over 2.85 million TEUs in 2018. This represents a slight percent increase over 2017 total.
In 2018, the port’s TEU volumes increased by 5% over 2017. The port also saw increases in volume at both Virginia Inland Port and Richmond Marine Terminal and truck and barge volume. Moreover, a slight growth of 1.2% was reported in breakbulk cargo handled at Newport News Marine Terminal.
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However, John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, said that the growth in 2018 was less than what the port had planned.
Additionally, the number of ships calling Virginia was less by 5% in 2018. On the other hand, the number of ships may have been reducing, but the vessels were larger and carried more cargo. The increasing vessel sizes and container volumes contributed in the port’s capacity expansion and its project to deepen the Norfolk Harbor to 55 feet and widen portions of the commercial navigation channels.
During December, 1,484,403 TEUs were handled, an increase of 2% in comparison to the same period last fiscal year. What is more gate volumes increased 3%; loaded imports 3.5%; and loaded exports fell by 5%.
The calendar year was completed with 241,121 TEUs, an increase of 1.5% when compared with last December. Another key fact was that in December, Richmond Marine Terminal volume was up 6.4%; motor-carrier volume, up 9%; and import loads, up 5.4%.
