The Port of Virginia is a major gateway for frozen protein, seafood, perishables, pharmaceuticals and other refrigerated commodities. We continue to invest in our capabilities and capacity for refrigerated cargo with over 2,100 reefer plugs at our facilities, along with reefer-capable barges. We know what goes into maintaining climate-controlled cargo through our terminals and on our docks. We can also pair you with off-dock refrigerated warehousing and transport providers within the markets we serve. Our expert teams ensure from scheduling, to storage, to transit — you get a coordinated experience and consistent management of your cargo.

Specialized Care for Sensitive Cargo

Whether by truck, train or barge, we offer competitive inland options, delivering fluid, reliable and efficient service to the markets you serve.
Our strategic Mid-Atlantic location is just a two days’ drive from 3/4 of the US population. We have two Class I on-dock railroads that offer double-stack service to the Midwest and Ohio Valley markets. And our inland terminals and barge service extends the port’s reach to exporters in West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
The Port of Virginia also owns and operates its own chassis pool. Our pool is the only one of its kind offering Thermo King genset units to support the local customers. These eco-friendly, economical, undermount units offer more options for climate-controlled transit.

Keeping Your Cargo Moving

Reefer-capable barges link our deep-water terminals to ports in Richmond, Baltimore and Philadelphia

Global supply chain services covering critical trade lanes via every major ocean carrier

Companies are recognizing the advantages The Virginia Model of port operations provides. Those transporting refrigerated goods are no exception. The region has seen an increase in cold-storage warehouses near the port, which reduces transportation costs, lengthens shelf life of perishables and allows goods to get to market faster.
The Port of Virginia has already expanded its overall reefer and plug capacity with the recently completed $800 million terminal optimization project. Further expansion is planned for  2023, completing the terminal optimization and cementing the port’s position as a premier cold chain gateway on the East Coast.

Room to Grow

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Our unique operating model combined with the latest in technology and deep expertise allows us to craft one-of-a-kind solutions not possible at other ports.

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The Port of Virginia Experience

We welcome your questions and interest in how our team can deliver for you. Let’s start a conversation today!

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Director, Ocean Carrier Sales

Tony Salino

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The right climate for your cargo.

Refrigerated Cargoes

Collaborative Infrastructure Upgrades

Port Initiatives

Our commitment to net-zero emissions by 2040 includes transitioning to renewable energy sources across all port operations, reducing fuel emissions, and investing in zero-emission technologies. The Port of Virginia will continue to invest in initiatives in support of our commitment. 
 
Related Links:
<div class="ewa-rteLine"><a href="https://future.portofvirginia.com/marketing/environmental-sustainability/">See Our Environmental Sustainability Commitment</a></div>

Environmental Sustainability

Port Investments

This growth initiative will construct a new drop lot for long-haul drivers to store containers while the terminal is closed. The modernized gate will consist of two inbound and two outbound lanes that will mirror the successful gate functionality at Virginia International Gateway (VIG) and Norfolk International Terminals (NIT). The new functionality will bring a higher level of safety to the facility by allowing the interchange of containers to be completed in the main terminal building instead of outside in the gate lanes.
Customer Benefits:
<ul>
<li>The added drop lot will provide a convenient location for drivers to stage import and export containers.</li>
<li>Modernization of the inbound and outbound lanes add a higher level of safety while improving the speed and accuracy of your cargo movement.</li>
</ul>

Gate Modernization and Drop Lot Storage

The Central Rail Yard will complement the investment of semi-automation of Norfolk International Terminals with an expansion and modernization of its on-dock rail operation. This will provide our gateway with an additional 455,000 TEU rail capacity for our customers who rely on efficient rail service to move their cargo.
The project will implement the same technology, successfully deployed at Virginia International Gateway, which has demonstrated substantial operational efficiencies resulting in the faster movement of your cargo.
Customer Benefits:
<ul>
<li>Efficient intermodal rail transfer, providing rapid supply chain delivery to key consumption markets</li>
<li>Reduction of road traffic and congestion, enhancing dray partner productivity and satisfaction</li>
</ul>

Central Rail Yard Expansion

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This strategic initiative will deliver the same innovative semi-automation to NIT-North  as our other container terminals, increasing throughput and reliability, while at the same time densifying stacks to increase overall capacity to 1.4 TEUs annually.  The project will transform the all-diesel straddle carrier operation to all-electric by adding 18 semi-automated stacks with 36 rail-mounted gantry (RMG) cranes, supporting our Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2040 commitment. At the completion of this project, all of our marine container terminals will be semi-automated providing superior efficiency and capacity.
</div>
Customer Benefits:
<ul>
<li>Efficient cargo throughput, driving supply chain reliability</li>
<li>Quick and predictable truck turn-times, ensuring dray partner productivity and satisfaction</li>
<li>Vessel productivity, enhancing carrier asset utilization and cost management</li>
</ul>

Container Terminal Optimization

This strategic initiative will deliver the same innovative semi-automation to NIT-North as our other container terminals, increasing throughput and reliability, while at the same time densifying stacks to increase overall capacity to 1.4 TEUs annually. The project will transform the all-diesel straddle carrier operation to all-electric by adding 18 semi-automated stacks with 36 rail-mounted gantry (RMG) cranes, supporting our Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2040 commitment. At the completion of this project, all of our marine container terminals will be semi-automated providing superior efficiency and capacity.
Customer Benefits:
<ul>
<li>Efficient cargo throughput, driving supply chain reliability Quick and predictable truck turn-times, ensuring dray partner productivity and satisfaction. </li>
<li>Vessel productivity, enhancing carrier asset utilization and cost management.</li>
</ul>

Marine Terminal Optimization

This initiative will convert a mainly wheeled operation to a densified rubber tire gantry (RTG) crane operation, making better use of the facility footprint, increase efficiency and create more storage space. A new three-track bundle will create 4,400 linear feet of working track.
Customer Benefits:
<ul>
<li>Modernization of the rail will provide a more efficient ground operation resulting the fluid movement of your cargo to its inland destination.</li>
</ul>

Rail Expansion

In a historic effort between the port, federal and state elected leaders, the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Norfolk District office and the Virginia Maritime Association – the funding has been secured for the port and the US Army Corps to bring the Norfolk Harbor widening and deepening project to fruition. This 50-50 cost share project between the federal government and the port is a strategic initiative that will increase the depth of the Norfolk Harbor to 55 feet, Thimble Shoal Channel to a depth of 56 feet with widening to accommodate two-way vessel traffic, and the Atlantic Ocean Channel to a depth of 59 feet. An additional benefit of the project includes utilizing the dredged sands to offer additional coastal protection to local beaches.
Customer Benefits:
&#8211; 1400 feet channel width allows for simultaneous passing of two ULCVs providing industry leading berth efficiency and reducing overall transit time.
&#8211; The deepest channels on the East Coast accepts the largest ships in the industry giving you unprecedented access to move your cargo faster and with reliability.

Channel Deepening & Widening

The Port of Virginia completed the renovation of Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) Southern Berth in 2022. This project transformed the oldest and largest terminal of the port into one of the most state-of-the-art terminals on Earth. Utilizing the same footprint, 60 new semi-automated stacking cranes have added 46% capacity, while also making the terminal safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.
Customer Benefits:
<ul>
<li>State-of-the-art semi-automated technology produced a terminal with industry leading turn times.</li>
<li>Increased TEUs by 700,000 to a total annual TEU capacity of 1.6 million proving fluidity for your cargo.</li>
</ul>

Marine Terminal Capacity Expansion and Semi-Automation

Our Virginia International Gateway (VIG) Terminal now features the largest cranes on the East Coast and increased container capacity by expanding the berth at VIG another 800 feet to accommodate as many as three ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) at the same time. The Port of Virginia constructed 13 new semi-automated container stacks serviced by 26 rail-mounted gantry cranes, creating more room to stack and sort shipping containers.
Customer Benefits:
<ul>
<li>Increased TEUs by 963,000 thousand to a total annual TEU capacity of 2.1 million.</li>
<li>4 new inbound gate lanes driving fast turn times</li>
</ul>