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Port of Virginia reports 8% fall in 2025 container volumes; CVOW components continue arriving at Portsmouth Marine Terminal
Summary
The Port of Virginia reported an 8% decline in 2025 container volumes due to trade uncertainty but said exports are fueling a rebound; Portsmouth Marine Terminal continues receiving components for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project and outbound shipments have begun aboard the vessel Charybdis.
Staff read a written report from Chris Gullickson of the Port of Virginia at the Jan. 27 Portsmouth Port and Industrial Commission meeting, saying trade uncertainty contributed to "an 8% decline in calendar year 2025 container volumes," but adding that volumes have begun to rebound driven by export growth.
The report highlighted activity at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal (PMT), noting that components for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project continue to arrive at PMT and that the third topside substation is scheduled to arrive in coming weeks. Staff also said outbound shipments of towers, blades and turbines have commenced aboard the Dominion Energy vessel Charybdis following a federal court injunction that allowed offshore wind construction to proceed.
Commission staff framed the updates as signs of renewed momentum at PMT despite the prior year’s drop in volume and said staff and the economic development department are looking at grant opportunities — including applications due March 1 for the Virginia Port Authority's aid to local ports program — to improve seawall access and support cruise and other calls.
No specific container-handling or financial projections were presented beyond the 8% figure read from the Port report. The report was submitted to commissioners for information; no formal action was taken on the Port of Virginia update during the meeting.
