Virginia port shows 8 percent volume growth in August

Published September 10, 2018 by Jessica Sabbath

The Port of Virginia reported its second-busiest month on record in August.
   
The port handled 258,821 TEUs, or 20-foot-equivalent units last month, an 8 percent increase above August 2017.
   
“In addition to peak season volumes, we are seeing some inbound cargo that is moving in anticipation of expanded tariffs on select imports,” Virginia Port Authority CEO and Executive Director John Reinhart said in a statement.
   
Much of August’s growth was driven by exports: loaded exports were up 11 percent, while import volumes grew by 3.4 percent.
   
The port’s inland operations also grew, as volumes at Virginia Inland Port (VIP) and Richmond Marine Terminal (RMT) were up 21 percent and 58 percent, respectively.
   
Truck volume was up 5 percent, rail was up 10 percent and total barge volume increased 27 percent.
   
 August Cargo Snapshot
   
    • _Loaded export TEUs – 83,512, up 10.7 percent
    • _Loaded import TEUs – 117,042, up 3.4 percent
    • _Total containers – 146,726, up 7.2 percent
    • _Breakbulk tonnage – 19,001 (tons), up 13 percent
    • _Virginia inland port containers – 3,924, up 21.1 percent
    • _Total rail containers – 54,961, up 9.9 percent
    • _Total truck containers – 86,874, up 4.7 percent
    • _Total barge containers – 4,891, up 27 percent
    • _Richmond barge containers – 2,899, up 58.3 percent
    • _Vehicle units – 2,940, up 2.4 percent
   
    In October 2017, the port processed 265,490 TEUs, which to date is highest volume month on record.