The Port of Virginia completed October with record cargo volumes and an operating income of $314,000, continuing the port’s consecutive string of profitable months. The port’s operating profit in the four months since the beginning of fiscal 2015 is $4.6 million, compared with an operating loss of $4.8 million in the same period of fiscal 2014. The October result is $1.8 million better than the result for the October of the prior year. Moreover, the port has generated an operating profit and in seven of the last eight months in calendar 2014. “When comparing the fiscal-year-to-date performances, we are looking at a swing of $9 million, so we are continuing to find solid financial ground” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “And while we have an improving financial picture, we are still not where we want to be in terms of delivery of service at VIG and NIT,” he said. “The challenge of congestion at our gates continues and impedes the ability for motor carriers to do their job with efficiency. At the gates, execution, consistency and adaptability is a primary focus. “We are stabilizing the port and have a long, hard road ahead of us to revitalize the port and invest in critical infrastructure to deliver superior service and sustainability.” On Nov. 7, The Port of Virginia reported that for the first time in its history, it handled more than 220,000 TEUs in a month and thus made October the busiest month in the port’s history. In October, the port handled 221,105 TEUs, an increase of 7 percent, or 14,508 TEUs, when compared with October 2013. In a year-to-date comparison (Jan. – Oct. 2014 vs. Jan. – Oct. 2013) the port is tracking 7.1 percent ahead of the same period last year: 1,980,999 TEUs vs. 1,849,524 TEUs. In October, truck volume increased by 8.7 percent. The port moved 81,375 containers by truck in October, which is 6,518 more than what was handled last October. In a year-to-date comparison, rail volume is up 3.9 percent; Virginia Inland Port up 16 percent; barge containers up 12.3 percent; truck containers up 8.6 percent; ship calls up 4.1 percent; and vehicle units up 5 percent. The port has exceeded the 200,000-TEU mark in April, May, July, August, September and October.