Walmart is Port’s 2025 Shipper of the Year award recipient

Walmart Inc., one of the largest users of The Port of Virginia®, is the recipient of the port’s 2025 Shipper of the Year award.

The annual award is presented by the port at the Virginia Maritime Association’s International Trade Symposium, held in Norfolk. It recognizes an exceptional shipper that works collaboratively with the port, increasing efficiencies across the supply chain.

The award was presented Wednesday by Thomas D. Capozzi, chief sales and marketing officer and Kara Matzko, director, key import accounts, for Virginia International Terminals, LLC, which is the port’s private operating company.

“Twenty-five years ago Walmart invested in the development of a large warehouse and distribution center project in James City County and that was the beginning of what has been a long and collaborative relationship between The Port of Virginia and this international brand,” Capozzi said. “Each year tens-of-thousands of Walmart containers move across Virginia’s marine terminals, generating benefits for the entire global supply chain. We value our relationship with Walmart and appreciate the company’s commitment to integrity, innovation quality and corporate values.”

On hand at the presentation was a team of representatives from Walmart; Ken Shirley, the senior director of global logistics received the award on behalf of the company.

"Walmart is proud to be named The Port of Virginia’s 2025 Shipper of the Year. Our long-standing partnership with the port is critical to moving goods more efficiently and reliably so we can deliver on our promise to have the right items, at the right time, for our customers, whether that’s in-store, online or at their doorstep," said Ken Shirley, senior director of global logistics at Walmart.

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is an omnichannel retailer operating more than more than 10,750 stores and numerous ecommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2025 revenue of $681 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide.