The Port of Virginia has reported the busiest November in its history, proceeding nearly 291,000 TEU and reflecting a rise of 4% compared to the same month of the previous year, which was the best November on record.
November volumes were driven by import empties, which increased by 465% on a year-on-year basis, while loaded imports reached 141,617 TEU, achieving a rise of more than 13%, with loaded exports recording a year-on-year decline of 5.6%, reaching 84,002 TEU.
Furthermore, the number of total containers moved through the Port of Virginia was 52,107 in November, which translates to an increase of 4.3% over the same month of 2020. At the same time, the total barge volume was up by 50% year-on-year, or nearly 2,600 containers.
Regarding the rail sector, 52,107 boxes were transported by trains in the Port of Virginia, increased by 4.3% over the previous year’s November, while total truck containers recorded almost the same increase (4.6%), reaching 102,112.
“Interest in the Port of Virginia is very high right now because we are not experiencing any congestion and we are able to accommodate those vessels that are off-schedule,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority.
With one reporting month left in 2021, the US port has achieved the handling of 3.2 million TEU so far, registering a growth of 25% over the same period of last year.
In parallel to handling record cargo volumes, the port is progressing with critical infrastructure projects including expanding rail capacity and channel deepening that are expected to help accommodate ultra-large container vessels and drive increased efficiency.
The Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners approved US$80 million in November for the expansion of the Central Rail Yard at Norfolk International Terminals (NIT), according to a statement.
“We had a productive November in terms of volume, but equally important is that we now have a clear path forward on expanding our rail capacity at NIT and that effort will be underway shortly,” noted Edwards.
Furthermore, the Port of Virginia will be served by the deepest and widest ship channel anywhere on the US East Coast, in a little more than two years, according to Edwards. “Pairing that channel depth with modern terminals and a significant increase in double-stack, on-dock rail capacity is going to attract big ships and more cargo volume,” he claimed.
Currently, the lift capacity is 350,000 at NIT Central Rail Yard, and 480,000 at Virginia International Gateway. When complete, NIT’s Central Rail Yard is projected to accommodate 610,000 annual container lifts.
The work on the Central Rail Yard will begin in February 2022 with completion scheduled in late 2023. Additionally, the widening and deepening of the channel to 16.7 meters will be finished in late 2024, according to a statement.
