Virginia port sets volume records in June, first half and FY2013

The Port of Virginia in June handled 175,864 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up 4.4 percent compared with June 2012 volume.

Export volume rose 3.8 percent to 93,020 TEUs and import volume climbed 5.1 percent to 89,635 TEUs.

"In terms of cargo volume, this June was the best June we have ever had," said Rodney Oliver, the Virginia Port Authority's (VPA) interim executive director, in a press release. "Our rail volume in June was 7.6 percent ahead of where it was at the same time last year, which shows us there is significant and continuing interest in utilizing rail to and from this port."

Cargo handled in June also wrapped up the Norfolk port's best first-half volume at 1.054 million TEUs, a 6 percent year-over-year increase.

"There are a number of factors that we can attribute this success to: ocean carriers loading their vessels heavy to take advantage of our 50-foot deep channels, an increasing number of first-in and last-out vessel calls, our expanding rail service, our push into new markets like Greensboro and an improving economy," said Oliver.

Moreover, June capped off the port's best-ever fiscal-year volume performance, VPA officials said. In FY2013, the port registered a record 2.165 million TEUs, up 10 percent compared with FY2012.

The port is served by CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway, Bay Coast Railroad Inc. and Norfolk & Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad Co.