Virginia port maintains record volume pace; L.A. port installs Seroka in top post

The Port of Virginia registered strong cargo growth in May and remained on pace to set an annual volume record in 2014.

May was the third-best month in the Norfolk port's history for 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and container volumes, and best month on record for rail volume. Total cargo grew 6.7 percent year over year to 204,232 TEUs. Exports climbed 8.7 percent, breakbulk tonnage ballooned 25.6 percent, rail container volume rose 4.8 percent and vehicle units jumped 20.1 percent.

Through May, total volume reached 950,251 TEUs — the port's highest-ever level through a year's first five months and an 8.2 percent gain compared with the same 2013 period.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles City Council last week unanimously confirmed Gene Seroka as the next executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.

He has more than 25 years of experience in shipping, global logistics and executive management. Seroka most recently was head of commercial in the Americas Region for American President Lines (APL) Ltd. He previously served APL as president-Americas, director of sales and marketing for North and Central China, and regional vice president for APL and APL Logistics Emirates in Dubai.

Seroka's extensive knowledge of the maritime and goods movement industries make him the perfect fit to run the port, said Vilma Martinez, the harbor commission's president, in a press release.

"He has worked closely with every link in the global supply chain, with much of his career focused on Asia and the Americas," Martinez said. "That experience, coupled with his strategic vision and collaborative leadership style, will take our port to new heights."

Gary Lee Moore has been serving as the port's interim executive director since Geraldine Knatz retired from the top post in October 2013.