The Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia delivers prosperity for the Commonwealth and the region.

The Port​ is built around the world’s largest natural deep-water harbor and currently stands as the third-largest container port on the East Coast. The Port does more than service ships hauling cargo: it drives investment, job creation, revenue growth and connects Virginia to the world.

In 2019, the Port completed a $750 million expansion project and announced a 46 percent increased cargo capacity. Read Port's 2022 Annual Report​​​.


    ​In 2021, the Port of Virginia moved ​​cargo via:

    33%
    63%
    4%

    Source: 2022 Port of Virginia

    ​The Port of Virginia Advantages

    • 50-foot (15​ meters) channels and berths - The Port of Virginia offers the deepest, obstruction-free shipping channels on the East Coast, and it is the only U.S. East Coast port with Congressional authorization for 55-foot depth channels.
    • Fully prepared to accommodate the 10,000+ TEU vessels
    • Direct service to 45+ countries worldwide​
    • Service offered by every major shipping line
    • 2/3 of the US population within a day's drive of the port​
    • Fast and efficient on-dock rail connections to key inland markets
    • Lowest pilferage rate on the East Coast
    • Leader in quality, efficiency, and environmental management practices: The port was the nation’s first to implement an ISO 14001-approved environmental standards program.​
    • Available capacity to grow with customers' needs
    • Available tax and grant incentives​

    Learn more about The Port of Virginia Advantages.

    ​There are four general cargo marine facilities, and more than 20 privately-owned bulk-handling facilities, in the Hampton Roads harbor.

    State-of-the-art container and breakbulk facilities include:

    • Norfolk International Terminals
    • Newport News Marine Terminal
    • Portsmouth Marine Terminal
    • Virginia International Gateway – One of the most technologically advanced port facilities in the Western Hemisphere

    Drayage Costs

    Average drayage costs from T​he Port of Virginia to points within the Virginia Beach MSA are estimated between $210 and $250 plus fuel surcharges (FSC). Fuel surcharges are based on weekly South Atlantic averages released by the Department of Energy.

    Virginia's Port is a unique collection of six cargo terminals working in concert to move exports and imports to market by railroad, river barge, and trucks.


    Top Trading Partners
    2020 total cargo in millions of U.S. dollars​

    EXPORTSIMPORTS​​
    1ChinaChina
    2BelgiumGermany
    3GermanyIndia
    4United KingdomItaly
    5

    Netherlands

    Vietnam

    6JapanJapan
    7SpainMalaysia​
    8

    Brazil

    		United Kingdom
    9AustriaFrance
    10IndiaBrazil

    Source: 2022 The Port of Virginia


    Top 10 Commodities
    2020 total cargo in millions of U.S. dollars

    EXPORTSIMPORTS
    1​ Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, MachineryNuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery
    2Pharmaceutical ProductsElectrical Machinery
    3PlasticsPharmaceutical Products
    4Misc. Chemical ProductsFurniture and Bedding
    5Organic ChemicalsVehicles, Not Railway
    6Oil SeedsPlastics
    7Vehicles, Not RailwayOrganic Chemicals
    8Electrical MachineryToys
    9WoodIron and Steel
    10Residues and Waste from Food IndustriesOptical Medical or Surgical Instruments

    Source: 2021 The Port of Virginia

    Port of va

    Highest performing port in North America

    The Port of Virginia was ranked the highest performing port in North America in 2021, according to The Container Port Performance Index 2021 (CPPI), which was published in late May 2022. Virginia’s port was also 23rd out of the world’s top 370 ports.

    Read CPPI Report

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