Virginia Port Shuns Empty Containers to Accommodate Cargo Diverted From NY-NJ
Journal of Commerce
Virginia International Terminals will only be accepting loaded containers into the terminals in order to maximize capacity in
the container stacks for cargo diverted from the Port of New York and NewJersey, which remains closed to container ships until further notice.
VIT said the new policy will take effect at the start of business on Monday, Nov. 5, and continue until further notice.
In a parallel effort, the terminal operating company this week began culling the stacks at APM Terminals in Portsmouth and
Norfolk International Terminals of all additional empty containers.
It said that on Monday, Nov. 5, and without exception, all 20- and 40-foot empty containers must be taken to the empty yards that are in Portsmouth and Norfolk; all specials will be accepted at the marine terminals.
In addition, VIT is expanding the empty yard at Portsmouth Marine Terminal to accommodate the repositioning effort and handle
the normal flow of empty containers
VIT said the move is temporary and made in response to the constantly changing and dynamic situation that has come about
on the U.S. East Coast as a result of Hurricane Sandy.