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% increased cargo capacity. It continues to be an expanding economic force by helping create hundreds of thousands of jobs and generating billions in sales, income, taxes, and fees for the state. Read Port's 2022 Annual Report​​​.




​In FY23, the Port of Virginia moved ​​cargo via:

36.5%
59.0%
4.5%

Source: 2023 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

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
2022 Total Cargo in Millions of U.S. Dollars​

EXPORTSIMPORTS​​
1ChinaChina
2GermanyGermany
3NetherlandsIndia
4BelgiumItaly
5

United Kingdom

Vietnam

6IndiaJapan
7AustriaMalaysia​
8

Japan

United Kingdom
9SpainFrance
10FranceThailand

Source: 2022 Port of Virginia Trade Overview (As of October 2023)


Top 10 Commodities
2022 Total Cargo in Millions of U.S. Dollars

EXPORTSIMPORTS
1​Pharmaceutical ProductsNuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery
2Nuclear Reactors, BoilersElectrical Machinery
3Plastics and Articles ThereofVehicles
4Oil Seeds and Oleaginous FruitsPharmaceutical Products
5Miscellaneous Chemical ProductsPlastics and Articles Thereof
6VehiclesFurniture, Bedding, Mattresses
7Organic ChemicalsOrganic Chemicals
8Wood and Articles of Wood; Wood CharcoalArticles of Iron and Steel
9Electrical MachineryArticles of Apparel and Clothing
10Residues and Waste from Food IndustriesToys, Games and Sports Equipment

Source: 2022 Port of Virginia Trade Overview (As of October 2023)

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

Helpful Links