Port of Virginia reports 7.2% volume growth in 2024; Portsmouth terminal sees major equipment and offshore-wind activity

Representatives from the Port of Virginia updated the Portsmouth Port and Industrial Commission on Jan. 28, reporting calendar-year 2024 volume growth and new heavy-equipment arrivals at the region’s terminals.

A Port of Virginia representative, identified in the meeting as Chris, summarized calendar year 2024 as "about 7.2% growth" in container and tonnage activity compared with 2023. He said Virginia International Gateway in Portsmouth has received four new ship-to-shore cranes that are being commissioned and will allow the terminal to work larger ocean vessels.

Peter (speaker identified on the record during the update) described activity at Portsmouth Marine Terminal tied to offshore construction, saying the facility recently received a large topside jacket delivered by a heavy-lift vessel. He described piles and pin piles placed during the prior season and called the current phase "the next phase of the project," noting assembly of transition pieces, tower sections, nacelles and blades will follow. Peter characterized the delivered topside structure as heavy—he and the Port representative compared its scale to that of a container crane—and said the project is generally on schedule.

Port representatives thanked city staff and the commission for ongoing support and highlighted private investment at nearby sites, including 1040 Virginia Avenue and 1 Harper Avenue. The port said companies such as the DeLong Company and Raymond Logistics are investing in facilities that will convert containers for export and create local jobs tied to port activity.

Commissioners asked and staff confirmed the port’s recent investments are intended to increase the port’s ability to handle larger vessels and complex cargoes; no formal actions or approvals by the PPIC were taken on the update.