The Port of Virginia has posted a year-on-year 7.6 per cent increase in 2014 container throughput to 2.3 million TEU, setting another annual record as it did the year before, reports the American Journal of Transportation.

"In 2014, we moved 169,000 more TEU than we did in 2013, which until now was our most productive year on record," said Virginia Port Authority CEO John Reinhart. "The growth is significant, but it has created significant challenges as well, especially in service levels for our motor carriers.

The year ended with strong December volumes when the port handled 203,276 TEU, a 12.3 per cent year-on-year increase.

"The focus is to continue to grow, within reason and within our capabilities, strive for consistency at our gates and operations, maintain profitability and do these things with a sense urgency and responsibility," said Mr Reinhart.

"The growth is a tribute to our team and our port partners, but our enthusiasm is tempered, as we are cognisant of the fact that we have much work to do on building infrastructure and developing processes to maintain the business and grow the port."

In 2014, the port exceeded the 200,000-TEU mark in April, May, July, August, September, October, November and December.

"Our volume is tracking for a record fiscal year as well: at the half-way point weî–·e up eight per cent," Mr Reinhart said. "We are working to expedite service improvements and maintain this positive growth across The Port of Virginia." (Source: Shipping Gazette)