The Port of Virginia is close to wrapping up its $1.4 billion Gateway Investment Program, with one of its most important pieces set to be delivered in early 2026.
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In February, the port is scheduled to begin offering the deepest shipping channels on the U.S. East Coast. A years-long effort to deepen and widen Virginia’s channels is nearing completion, marking a major milestone for the port. The $450 million project will result in channels that are 55 feet deep and wide enough to safely handle two-way traffic from the largest ships in Atlantic trade, without tidal restrictions or overhead obstructions. The channel widening portion of the project was completed in February 2024.
“In order to be a twenty-first century port, you must have twenty-first century infrastructure,” said Sarah J. McCoy, interim CEO and executive director at the Virginia Port Authority. “Channel depth has the same level of importance to Virginia as any of our landside assets and investments. To remain competitive, the big ships require deep water and modern terminals. The Port of Virginia is the logical choice.”
Along with the near completion of the dredging work, the port is also marking the opening of a fourth berth for ultra-large container vessels. At the South Berth of Norfolk International Terminals, the port has deepened its berths and is placing four new Suez-class cranes into service this month. With the new cranes online, the port now has two ultra-large container vessel berths at both Norfolk International Terminals South and Virginia International Gateway.
The port is already looking ahead to its next step. A fifth ultra-large container vessel berth is under development at Norfolk International Terminals North and is scheduled to be operating in 2027. That work is part of a $650 million reconfiguration and optimization of the terminal’s north berth area.
Thomas D. Capozzi, Chief Sales Officer, said the upgrades give customers confidence they can continue to grow their business at the Port of Virginia without worrying about space or congestion. He also pointed to the port’s recent recognition from Lowe’s, which named the Port of Virginia its International Port of the Year in October 2025. It was the fourth year in a row the port received the award.
“Companies are taking note of what we are doing here, of how we treat their cargo today and how we are preparing for the future,” Capozzi said. “When the Gateway Investment Program is complete, collectively, we’ll have the annual throughput capacity for nearly six million TEUs and the capability to process two million annual rail lifts.
“Those capabilities, combined with an overall modern approach to terminal operations and the deepest channels on the U.S. East Coast, are clear indicators that we are ready to grow in parallel with our biggest users, whatever their needs may be.”
