Cargo Statistics: Mexico, Virginia

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Mexico’s port system processed nearly 71.1 million metric tons of cargo during first quarter 2014, an increase of 3.1 percent from a year ago. The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) reports record-setting cargo volumes in March and monthly revenue that exceeded forecast.

Mexico: First Quarter Cargo Up, Cruise Traffic Rebounds

Mexico’s port system processed nearly 71.1 million metric tons of cargo during first quarter 2014, an increase of 3.1 percent from a year ago, according to "preliminary" data compiled and reported by the federal port agency, Coordinación General de Puertos y Marina Mercante. Imports accounted for 21.1 million tons ( 8.2 percent), exports for 31.5 million tons ( 1.2 percent) and domestic shipments for 17.4 million tons ( 0.9 percent).

The first quarter was marked by strongly positive performances by bulk and break bulk cargo, a marginal gain by containerized cargo, dips in the container count and ship arrivals and a sharp drop in the nation’s waterborne auto trade. Mexico’s cruise industry rebounded smartly after months of decline, especially on the Pacific coast where passenger volumes skyrocketed 84.5 percent and cruise ship calls jumped 63.9 percent from prior year levels.

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Virginia: March Cargo Sets Record, Revenue Exceeds Forecast

The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) reports record-setting cargo volumes in March and monthly revenue that exceeded forecast.

"It has been a very disciplined, team-oriented approach to stem the losses," said John F. Reinhart, the VPA’s CEO and executive director. "We had an operating profit of $150,000 in March; this is just one month and we need many more just like it and significantly better. Still, this is a beginning, something we can build upon, and reinforce the initiatives underway to rebuild The Port of Virginia. There remain significant systemic challenges that need to be corrected to reduce costs, improve services and velocity across the port."

The March data show gains from a year ago in container TEUs ( 50.2 percent), containerized cargo ( 9.4 percent), and breakbulk cargo ( 16.5 percent), barged containers ( 4.7 percent), rail containers ( 5.3 percent), and vehicle units ( 27.9 percent). Container throughput reached record highs during the first three months of CY 2014 and the first nine months of the fiscal year that began July 1, 2013. Click here for details.

"This strong volume growth in all categories was managed well across our operations," Mr. Reinhart said. "We continue our efforts to build velocity through the port by increasing productivity and process improvements – the very disciplined effort that helped stem the losses and generate a small operating profit."

More specifically, he said: "We’re talking about a process of continual evaluation, corrective action, improvement, investment and adaption that will carry the port into the next decade. It is this process that will put us on a sound financial course going forward, but there is a lot of hard work ahead of us to build sustainability."