Port traffic rises 16.1 percent, continuing trend

NORFOLK

The number of 20-foot cargo containers handled at the port of Hampton Roads in June rose 16.1 percent from the same month a year earlier, to 160,701, according to the Virginia Port Authority's website.

"We're in keeping with a lot of other ports across the nation that are posting solid numbers," said Joe Harris, a Port Authority spokesman. " 'Cautious optimism' seem to be our watchwords."

Volumes every month this year are still lower than in the corresponding months for 2008, 2007 and 2006, before the global recession began.

Container volume numbers for June are not yet available for the three other big East Coast ports with which Hampton Roads competes.

In May, however, No. 1 New York/New Jersey handled 357,643 units, a 17.2 percent increase from May 2009.

Unlike Hampton Roads; Savannah, Ga.; and Charleston, S.C.; New York/New Jersey's report does not include empty units.

Savannah, the No. 2 East Coast port, reported handling 231,762 units in May, a 24.7 percent increase from 185,917 in May 2009.

The volume of 20-foot containers at No. 3 Hampton Roads totaled 161,536 in May, up 14.2 percent from 141,437 units in May 2009.

No. 4 Charleston reported 118,070 units in May, up 21 percent from 97,603 in May 2009.

Robert McCabe, (757)-446-2327, robert.mccabe@pilotonline.com