22 American Journal of Transportation American Journal of Transportation ajot.com Port of Virginia’s expansion already paying dividends Projects part of a long-term strategy for the Port of Virginia. By Andrew Meadows, AJOT (DIVIDENDS – continued on page 24) The Port of Virginia is more than halfway through the massive $1.4 billion Gateway Investment Program (GIP), and its goal of becoming the most efficient port on the East Coast is within reach. Earlier this year, the Port announced the completion of the $450 million Norfolk Harbor deepening and wid- ening; it joins the $83 mil- lion expansion of its Central Rail Yard and a $220 million Portsmouth Marine Terminal heavy lift/project cargo con- version. A $650 million mod- ernization of the North Berth is not far behind. When finished in 2027, the GIP will increase the Port’s total TEU capacity to 5.8 million. “This port is playing the long game: we understand that this additional capacity is not going to be needed — filled up — immediately. We embarked on the Gateway Investment Program because it was the right time to invest for the long-term. By making those investments now, we are able to tell the market with absolute confidence that 1) we are ready for the future and 2) you can grow your cargo volumes — or bring your big ships to Virginia — without concern for our capa- bility or capacity,” said Joe Harris, senior director, media relations for the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) whose sub- sidiary - Virginia International Terminals (VIT) - handles the day-to-day operation of its marine and inland terminals. up to 24,000 TEUs. The port now operates 31 ship-to- shore cranes. The Port’s multi-modal reach into the Midwest is growing too. In August, the Port added Indianapolis to its network of on-dock, dou- ble-stack rail service via CSX, expanding its reach into Midwest markets, including Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City, and Columbus. Loaded Imports Up over 6% The VPA’s most recent financial numbers reported at Joe Harris, senior director, media relations, VPA Under the leadership of new CEO Sarah McCoy, a long- time VPA executive, Harris said the Port is preparing cargo requirements for the next decade and beyond. The new dredging deep- ened the Sewell Point to Lam- bert Bend (SPLB) shipping channel in Norfolk Harbor to 55-feet, the Thimble Shoal Channel to 56-feet, and the Atlantic approach to 59-feet. It also widened portions of the channel to as much as 1,400-feet to allow two-way passage for ultra-large con- tainer vessels with capacities On June 18th, at Norfolk International Terminals, the inauguration of The Port of Virginia’s newest asset: the deepest harbor and shipping channel anywhere on the US East Coast. VIRGINIA PORTS 2026 VIRGINIA PORTS 2026
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