Port of Virginia digs deep with plan to accommodate larger vessels

Channel widening and deepening intended to increase safe access and port efficiency.

At The Port of Virginia, progress continues on a $1.4 billion infrastructure contract—a plan that is designed to accommodate ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs), as well as create shorter port stays at berths. Earlier this year, construction began on the final phase of the infrastructure plan, the Atlantic Ocean Channel Phase II, which has included the combined efforts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District, the Virginia Port Authority, and the City of Virginia Beach. When the new channel opens in 2025, it will be the deepest commercial channel on the U.S. East Coast, measuring at a depth of 55-feet.

According to port statistics, The Port of Virginia processed 3.5 million TEUs in fiscal year 2024 (FY2024), a two percent increase over the close of FY2023. As consumer demands and cargo volumes continue to grow, the benefits afforded by the wider and deeper channel become even more evident. The new channel will allow for “the safe, two-way passage of ultra-large container vessels,” creating a more efficient vessel flow that is expected to “help reduce the amount of time vessels spend on berth by up to 15%.”

Gateway Investment Program

Stephen Edwards, Virginia Port Authority CEO and Executive Director, said, “The work the port team did during fiscal year 2024 is critical to the progress we are making on the projects that are part of our [$1.4 billion] Gateway Investment Program.”

He continued, “We are doing exactly what we set out to do, which is deliver world-class, twenty-first century service to our users, enhance efficiency and capabilities, expand infrastructure, become a more sustainable operation, and make inroads into new markets. We are further developing our assets to ensure the needs of our customers and [port] users will not outgrow our capabilities in Virginia.”

As an additional benefit of the channel-dredging project, a portion of the dredge material has been earmarked for use in beach nourishment in Virginia Beach. The placement of dredged material is intended to “provide storm risk management benefits for the citizens and businesses of Virginia Beach.” Col. Brian Hallberg, USACE Norfolk District Commander, explained how one project benefits the other.

“The Norfolk District is committed to ensuring the Atlantic Ocean Channel dredging project is a successful part of the Norfolk Harbor Deepening project,” he said, and added, “The arrangements for beneficial use of the sand at Resort and Croatan Beaches were truly a regional team effort among the Norfolk District, the Virginia Port Authority and the City of Virginia Beach that showcase our efforts to efficiently and sustainably deliver economic, environmental and social benefits through collaboration.”

LJ Hansen, Director of Public Works for the City of Virginia Beach, pointed out, “Protecting the infrastructure in our resort area and strengthening the shorelines along our residential beaches is a small investment that can pay big dividends. Since 2003, these replenishment efforts have averted millions of dollars in storm-related damage.”

Edwards also reported, “This final phase means we are nearing the finish of a critical maritime infrastructure project, which is the creation of the deepest port on the U.S. East Coast. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has worked diligently with us to widen and deepen the ocean approach, the commercial channel, and the Norfolk Harbor, allowing The Port of Virginia to safely and efficiently handle the biggest ships in the global container trade. This partnership is making navigation in Virginia safer, and is helping to grow The Port of Virginia, which is to the benefit of all Virginians, and it positions us for the future.

Wider, Deeper, Safer

According to project details, the “Wider, Deeper, Safer” dredging project will “deepen the Inner Harbor channels to 55-feet, Chesapeake Bay’s Thimble Shoal Channel to 56 feet and Atlantic Ocean Channel to 59-feet. The Thimble Shoal Channel will also be widened up to 1,400 feet in select areas, allowing for ultra-large container vessel two-way traffic. Completion of the full Norfolk Harbor navigation-improvement project is expected around 2025.”

In addition to accommodating larger container vessels, the widened channel is intended to “focus on creating efficiency, support larger cargo volumes, and increase the speed of cargo moving through the gateway.”

“This is a true advantage for anyone delivering to or from America,” Edwards acknowledged. “Our wider channel sets The Port of Virginia apart by allowing for consistent vessel flow, increasing berth and container yard efficiencies, and further improving harbor safety.”

He summed up, “Ocean carriers are putting larger vessels into their East Coast port rotations with additional ULCVs on order, and our partners know their vessels will not outgrow our capabilities. In Virginia, there is no concern for channel width, overhead draft restrictions, capacity or cargo handling infrastructure.”

New Rail Service Lays Track for Future

At the start of 2024, the terminals at The Port of Virginia began using electricity from clean sources, and the port launched the widened shipping channel. Along with those two projects are many other projects that will benefit the port, such as an expanded rail service. The new daily service expands logistic options between the Port of Virginia’s primary container terminals and Memphis, Tennessee, and serves to increase the port’s reach to western and southern locations.

Edwards said, “We welcomed new vessel services to South America and the Indian Subcontinent as well. We are collaborating with our customers, port users and partners to open up new markets to meet the needs of those companies that want to grow and diversify their logistics and supply chains.”

He continued, “Our modern, semi-automated terminals, combined with our unique business model, where we both own and operate our terminals, proved their value during the surge of cargo that came our way because of the tragic bridge collapse that closed the Port of Baltimore for nearly three months. We processed the diverted cargo without any degradation of service and clearly demonstrated our position as the most modern gateway in America.”

Along with increased ship calls and TEU processing, FY24 statistics for The Port of Virginia also show an increase of 13% in rail container processing. This increase evidences not only the importance of current rail service availability, but also suggests the potential for continued future growth with the new expanded rail service options.