Port of Virginia loading dock with a lot of containers.

With the deepest harbor on the East Coast right next door, Virginia Beach has a heavy concentration of maritime and logistics businesses—and with everything our city has to offer, it’s no wonder this industry loves to call Virginia Beach home.

Gateway to the globe

Our prime coastal location gives businesses in Virginia Beach easy access to domestic and international destinations across the world.
The nearby port, The Port of Virginia , is the third-largest container port on the East Coast. With its deep, obstruction-free shipping channels, the port offers superior navigational flexibility with less congestion—so your goods get where they need to go quickly. The Port of Virginia can handle any type of cargo, and offers service to more than 200 countries, 45 of them directly.

The region strong transportation infrastructure includes:

  • The largest intermodal rail port on the East Coast, with two Class I railroads operating on-dock at the Port of Virginia.
  • Two international airports serving 3.8 million passengers annually and supporting global logistics.
  • Extensive interstates that connect Virginia Beach to more than 60% of the U.S. population within a two-day drive.

A uniquely specialized workforce

More than 20,500 are employed in maritime and logistics across the region. Our highly knowledgeable workforce is only growing thanks to our local Old Dominion University, which boasts the only Maritime and Supply Management undergraduate major in the U.S., and is one of only two universities to offer a Maritime undergraduate major. Graduates of these programs are prime candidates to address the growing opportunities and challenges of the maritime ecosystem.

More power to recruit and retain

Attracting and retraining a specialized maritime workforce is an easy sell when you’re located in Virginia Beach. Our affordable city is known for great schools, safe neighborhoods, and plenty to do—including miles of beautiful beaches and outdoor spaces, historical attractions, and cultural festivals.

#8 in Best Places to Live in the U.S.

~ U.S. News and World Report (2024)