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Port of Virginia reports arrival of wind‑installation vessel, upcoming cranes and steady volumes
Summary
Port of Virginia staff told the Portsmouth Port Industrial Commission that a Jones Act‑compliant wind turbine installation vessel, the Charybdis, recently arrived at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal; four ship‑to‑shore cranes are due at Norfolk International Terminals, and August cargo volumes were comparable year‑over‑year with 1,000 more loaded imports in 2025 than 2024.
Chris, a Port of Virginia representative, told the Portsmouth Port Industrial Commission on Sept. 23 that the Port recently received a Jones Act‑compliant wind turbine installation vessel and described a range of near‑term operational milestones.
"You haven't had a chance to drive...there at PMT is the first purpose‑built Jones Act compliant wind turbine installation vessel called the Charybdis," Chris said, and invited commissioners to view the vessel. He said the Port expects the ship to support work on the Coastal Virginia offshore wind project in coming months.
Chris also noted four ship‑to‑shore cranes were scheduled to arrive at Norfolk International Terminals in the next 7–10 days and highlighted local transload projects (Raymont Logistics and a long‑grain transload site) moving from planning into construction.
On volumes, Chris said August container volumes were "very much comparable" year‑over‑year and that the Port recorded about 1,000 more loaded imports in 2025 than in 2024. He described month‑to‑month ebb and flow but said the peak season performance and sub‑50‑minute truck turn time are sources of local pride and service reliability.
During Q&A commissioners asked whether the Port's turn‑time metrics were gate‑to‑gate; Chris clarified the Port reports an "expanded" turn time from the 164 interchange and uses a reservation system with a 30‑minute buffer for early arrivals. He said port police and city police monitor queuing on shoulder routes to reduce long‑term congestion.
The Port's presentation emphasized ongoing construction work and near‑term equipment deliveries rather than new formal actions by the commission.
