Port of Virginia Blog

Port’s Positive Cargo Numbers Bring About Guarded Optimism

Norfolk – Business at The Port of Virginia is showing signs of modest growth and port officials are optimistic that the trend will continue. From July to October of this year, cargo handled at the port grew 11 percent. Although year-to-date totals are still down when compared with 2008, the recent trend is positive.

"We will not be setting any records this year, but there are some positive signs and the most encouraging one I am seeing is the month-over-month gains," said Jerry A. Bridges, executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. "There is a long way to go and it would be premature to say that things have turned around completely because much of this can be attributed to the holiday season; I'm optimistic, but we have to be realistic."

From June to October, the monthly gain in cargo at the port has averaged 5,332 TEUs and in the 10-month period dating to January, 2009, there have been six months of improvement over the previous month.

The TEU totals January through October:

-- Jan. = 137,994

-- Feb. = 133,358

-- March = 136,737

-- April = 144,073

-- May = 141,438

-- June = 138,452

-- July = 142,171

-- Aug. = 151,005

-- Sept. = 157,443

-- Oct. = 159,781

Governor-elect McDonnell Addresses Chamber’s 25th Annual Membership Meeting

 
 
Norfolk -- Governor-elect Robert F. "Bob" McDonnell addressed today's 25th Annual Membership Meeting of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. The luncheon event at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott was attended by more than 700 business and community leaders. Harkening back to his first campaign bumper sticker - "Bob is for Jobs" - McDonnell described his theory of governance.

"Most citizens want to see their government set the table right so that people can use their God-given talents in a free enterprise system to pursue the American Dream... I'll continue to look for ways to improve that formula and partnership going forward."

McDonnell recognized The Port of Virginia as a critical component of Virginia's economic development and job creation strategy. "We've got a great natural asset in the Port of Virginia that within a decade, I think, will be the best and largest port on the U.S. East Coast, if not beyond."

McDonnell acknowledged that implementing a strategy to create new funding for state-wide transportation needs will be, "...the toughest challenge I will face in this first year (2010)."  He specifically referenced his commitment to reducing cross-harbor congestion in Hampton Roads and upgrading State Route 460 to interstate quality between Suffolk and Petersburg.

On Jan. 16, 2010, McDonnell will be inaugurated as Virginia's 71st governor.   

Port Handles 159,781 TEUs in October

Norfolk -- The Port of Virginia in October handled 159,781 TEUs, down 28,945 TEUs when compared with the same month last year. From January to October, the port handled 1,442,452 TEUs, compared with 1,759,996 TEUs handled the same period in 2008, a change of 18 percent.

Also in September the port handled 24,909 tons of breakbulk cargo. The breakbulk total from January to October is 196,939 tons.

The port's October trade balance is 57 percent exports and 43 percent imports; the year-to-date average is 56 percent exports and 44 percent imports. The trade balance is unchanged from September.

Promotions, New Hire at the VPA

Norfolk – The Virginia Port Authority recently promoted three individuals and hired a fourth to round-out its staff: Those promoted are Jodie Love, Renee Rose and Lori Duron and the new hire is Nicole Baumgardner.

- Love has been named as the agency's new community relations coordinator. In her new role, Love is responsible for community and academic outreach and workforce development projects.

Love began her career at the VPA in 2006 as the executive assistant to the VPA's senior deputy director. Prior to joining the VPA she was employed for three years at the Virginia Maritime Association, a trade organization. Her post falls within the VPA's Department of External Affairs.

Love is a graduate of Old Dominion University and lives in Chesapeake with her husband and son. She can be reached at 757-683-2130 or jlove@portofvirginia.com.

- Rose has been named development specialist. She works in the agency's Development Division in an effort to increase cargo volumes at The Port of Virginia by locating distribution facilities in the region.

Rose has a bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in maritime and supply chain management from ODU. She currently is working on her MBA with a concentration in port and logistics management.

While an undergraduate, Rose was president of ODU's Student Port of the Propeller Club from 2008-2009; she also participated studied abroad in Europe, touring top ports such as Rotterdam and Antwerp.

Rose and her husband live in Chesapeake.

- Duron has been named the agency's new executive secretary for the Development Division. In this capacity she will provide administrative assistance and support functions for the deputy executive director of development and the departments of Business Analysis & Strategy, Port Promotion, Economic Development and Special Projects.

Duron graduated from ODU with a bachelor's in International Studies & Geography and has also earned a paralegal certificate from ODU.

She has been with the VPA for six years, working  in several capacities including receptionist, administrative assistant and most recently was contract specialist assistant for the director of contracts and real estate. 

Duron and her husband live in Virginia Beach.

- Baumgardner was hired in October as the executive secretary to the agency's senior deputy executive director. Prior to joining the VPA, she worked for the Children's Hospital of The Kings Daughter where she was employed with the CHS organization for almost nine years. 

Baumgardner is a native of Virginia and graduate of Great Bridge High School. She is pursuing a degree in business administration at Tidewater Community College.

She, her husband and their three daughters live in Virginia Beach.