Virginia ports upbeat on future growth

AFTER years of being silent among the other major US gateway ports, the Virginia Port Authority is now finding its voice, and it has plenty to talk about.

One only needs to look at population growth distribution in the United States today to see that Virginia is conveniently located in one of the fastest growing regions in the US.

Add to that, the US Federal Highway Administration, together with Norfolk Southern Railway are now in the process of developing a US$150 million rail project, known as the Heartland Corridor, which will slash more than 200 miles off the transportation route from Virginia’s primary container facility at Norfolk to Chicago.

The project, which is expected to be finalised by 2010, will enable Virginia to offer second morning service to Chicago, which is one day less than what is now offered from New York. The shorter transit time will also bring other consumer centres into Virginia’s periphery.

Aside from the reduced transit time, the development will mean that, for the first time, double-stacked trains will move along the Virginia to Chicago route, which port authorities believe will lead to downward pressure on price for those containers moving via the corridor.

Virginia ports, collectively, represent the fifth largest port in the US and the third largest on the east coast in terms of volumes handled.

In 2007, the port handled 2.3 million TEU and despite the downturn the port authority still expects around two per cent growth this year.

The Container Shipping Manager sat down to speak with Virginia Port Authority executive director, Mr Jerry Bridges, during a recent visit to China to learn a little more about its operations.

“We have done an excellent job of maintaining a low profile and then being very happy with five to six per cent growth year over year,” the executive director said.

 

Source: Schednet