The Port of Virginia has started 2013 on a positive note having handled 4,466 more TEUs in January when compared with totals from the same month last year.

In January the port handled 158,766 TEUs, an increase of 2.9 percent when compared with totals from January 2012. The month's container total was 90,900 units and the general cargo weight (figure includes container and breakbulk) was 1,348,110 tons.

“This was a great start to our calendar year; rail volume was up 10 percent for the month and continues to help drive our growth,” said Rodney W. Oliver, the Virginia Port Authority’s interim executive director. “We are optimistic about the remainder of the fiscal year and are glad the uncertainty surrounding the ILA Master Contract negotiations appears to be behind us.”

The number of containers moved between the Port of Richmond and the Hampton Roads Harbor on the 64 Express barge service in January was 407, a decrease of 24.1 percent when compared with the same month last year. The decrease is the result of some barge users having slowed their production at year’s end.

Also in January:

• There were six fewer ship calls (-3.7 percent);

• VIP container volume was down 325 units (-11.3 percent);

• Vehicle units were down by 93 units (-2 percent)

Calendar year TEU totals, 2013 vs. 2012:

• January 2013 = 158,766

• January 2012 = 154,300