October was another month of record-breaking growth at the Port of Virginia, according to a recent announcement.

The port moved 265,490 20-foot equivalent units of cargo in October, a growth of more than 11 percent compared to the same month last year, according to a Thursday press release.

This was the all-time record for the amount of cargo handled in a single month at the port, breaking the previous record set in May 2017 by 18,619 units, or 7.5 percent, according to the press release.

“To process that amount of volume in a month — 127,000 imports and nearly 139,000 export container loads — and do so safely and with efficiency is testament to the high level at which The Port of Virginia team and our labor partners are performing,” John F. Reinhart, chief executive officer and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, stated in the press release.

Peak season volumes carried by ultra-large container vessels are trending positively and are expected to continue through December. On a calendar-year basis, total TEU volumes are up 7.9 percent, and total cargo containers moved up by 8.2 percent, according to the press release.

Construction teams are on schedule with expansion of the Virginia International Gateway terminal in tandem with increased cargo amounts. According to the press release, the first rail-mounted gantry cranes are set for delivery this January and are scheduled to be operational by the end of April.

“Through our strong month-on-month performances, we are building our brand and reputation domestically and internationally as the Mid-Atlantic global gateway for cargo of all types,” Reinhart stated. “We know that next year, as we get into heavy construction at Norfolk International Terminals and the first phases of VIG go live, the industry and cargo owners will be watching.

“We continue to plan to ensure that we process volumes safely, efficiently and consistently while focusing on mitigating any adverse impacts on the operation as construction progresses.”