Port Traffic Trends: Germany, Houston, Seaway, Virginia

Germany’s oceanborne cargo trades grew by 2.7 percent during the first six months of 2014, to 152 million metric tons from the year-earlier total of 148 million tons, according to data compiled by the federal statistics office, Destatis.

Domestic movements between German seaports jumped 20.3 percent, but accounted for a small fraction of the total. As for foreign trade, exports increased by 4.5 percent and imports by 2.0 percent.

The container trade was somewhat stronger, up 3.3 percent from a year ago to 7.9 million TEUs. Among Germany’s top three container cargo markets, China was up 8 percent, while the U.S. and Russia declined by 14.9 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively.

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Houston: Business Still Strong; Tonnage Up Across All Sectors 

Business through Port of Houston Authority facilities remains strong, Executive Director Roger Guenther announced in his report to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority at its regular monthly meeting.

"September cargo at the port facilities continued the positive trend for the year and the outlook continues to be good through the remainder of 2014," Mr. Guenther reported.

Year to date, more than 28 million tons of cargo has been handled, up 5 percent, he said. Operating revenue is up 12 percent and exceeds $195 million. Operating and G&A expenses total $155 million, up 3 percent, and operating cash flows are up 6 percent, exceeding $89 million.

"Strong financial performance is important as we continue to prepare for growth and reinvestment," Mr. Guenther said.

During October as well, a breakbulk service from Houston to two ports in Mexico by Argosy Transportation Group’s Campeche Line has begun calling Woodhouse Terminal. Additionally, Houston’s cruise season opened on October 11 with the Norwegian Jewel sailing from Bayport Cruise Terminal. Princess Cruise returns November 11 for a second season.

St. Lawrence Seaway System Keeps Cargo Moving in October

Cargo shipments totaling 29.5 million metric tons transited the St. Lawrence Seaway system from March 28 to October 31, according to data reported by the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. That was up 4.5 percent from a year ago, largely to sharp increases in steel and grain. Grain year-to-date jumped 49.9 percent to 8.4 million tons, more than offsetting declines in iron ore (-26.5 percent) and coal (-11 percent).

"October was another active month for our hard-working longshoremen handling cargo at the ports in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System," said U.S. Seaway Administrator Betty Sutton. "There were significant increases in the number of ships arriving in the Seaway System carrying steel, salt, sugar, aluminum and pig iron. With an excellent grain harvest, most of those ships left the system filled with wheat, soybeans, corn and lentils. With two months remaining in the navigation season, we anticipate our longshoremen will continue to be extremely busy."

"The Cleveland-Europe Express continues to prove to be a viable option for shippers moving their goods from the Midwest to markets around the world," said David S. Gutheil, vice president of maritime & logistics at the Port of Cleveland. "In October, we moved cargo from various points in the Midwest to Belgium, Finland, Germany, Russia, Poland, and the Netherlands, among other destinations, and those shipments included containerized cargo and heavy machinery."

The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor is on a record pace this year, having exceeded its previous five-year average for total annual shipments in just three quarters. Officials project a 25 percent increase in 2014, driven by strong shipments of grain, steel, salt and limestone.

"This is the busiest shipping season we have had at this port in more than a decade," said Burns Harbor Port Director Rick Heimann. "Last year, this port handled its highest volume of steel cargoes since 2006, and this year’s steel shipments are on pace to double the 2013 total. Much of this is driven by increased throughput by manufacturers in Northwest Indiana and Chicago, but there is also significant new business being generated by metal processors that have expanded facilities or developed new businesses within our port complex. These sizeable investments signify strong confidence in the long-term future of the Midwest economy and Great Lakes shipping."

"Aluminum shipments at the Port of Oswego are ahead of projections for 2014 and well over the 2013 numbers," said Zelko Kirincich, the port authority’s executive director. "For the month of October, shipments of aluminum ingots rose 145 percent to 13,337 metric tons. McKeil Marine barges are regularly unloading at the port. Transits through the Seaway ensure that aluminum from Sept-Iles, Quèbec, helps keep pace with the upswing in the automotive manufacturing sector." Four to six more shipments are expected in Oswego before the shipping season closes in December.

Grain shipping was in full swing at the Port of Toledo as a result of a good harvest in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. "McKeil Marine barges have been loading grain at ADM in Toledo after they deliver aluminum to Midwest Terminals," saidJoe Cappel, director of cargo development at the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. "For us, it’s the perfect scenario when a vessel or barge can discharge and reload without leaving the Port of Toledo."

Toledo’s grain terminals were also busy loading a steady stream of lakers and ocean-going vessels in October, including CSL’s new Trillium Class Baie Comeau, as well as numerous Canfornav and Polsteam vessels. At the general cargo dock operated by Midwest Terminals, overseas deliveries included steel coils, wire rod, salt, pig iron, fertilizer and project cargo. Operated by CSX, Toledo’s coal and iron ore docks, are on track to surpass last year’s totals by a wide margin, according to the port.

Virginia: Fourth Straight Month of 200,000-Plus TEUs; Capacity Limits Being Pushed as Focus on Delivery of Service Continues 

The Port of Virginia reports container volume reached a monthly high of 221,105 TEUs in October. That was up 7 percent from a year ago and the fourth consecutive month when the container count exceeded 200,000 TEUs. Year-to-date volume totaled 1,980,999 TEUs, up 7.1 percent from 1,849,524 in January-October 2013.

The Port of Virginia reports October container volume totaled 221,105 TEUs, an increase of 7 percent from a year ago and its busiest month ever.

"These volumes present a challenge to our delivery of efficient service to the motor carriers and we are fully engaged in port-wide efforts to improve throughput for trucks," said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. "We continue to push our capacity limits at VIG and NIT and it is clear that this is having a negative effect on our gates, The wait-times for drivers are simply too long and we are working to address that. The congestion is not a problem unique to The Port of Virginia and we are working with stakeholders to deliver improved service."

In October, the port moved 81,375 containers by truck, 6,518 more than in October 2013.

In a year-to-date comparison, the port reports volume increases from 2013 in containers handled by rail ( 3.9 percent), truck ( 8.6 percent), barge ( 12.3 percent) and via the Virginia Inland Port ( 16 percent). Also higher were ship calls ( 4.1 percent) and vehicle units ( 5.0 percent).

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