It is reported that Norfolk Southern is commemorating a milestone at its coal transloading facility in Norfolk.

The railroad operator says it has loaded the largest volume cargo in the 50 year history of its Pier facility at Lamberts Point.

This week, Norfolk Southern says it finished loading nearly 160,000 net tons of metallurgical coal into the M/V Cape Dover, destined for China. That amount of coal can be used to make about 207,000 tons of steel or enough to build 230,000 automobiles.

The coal was shipped on the 951 foot vessel by Xcoal Energy & Resources in conjunction with CONSOL Energy from mining operations in Virginia.

Most of the coal moving through Pier 6 originates in southwest Virginia, southern West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

(Sourced from hamptonroads.com)