Posted on July 29, 2026
The Port of Virginia has completed almost 87% of construction on a $650m expansion and automation project at Norfolk International Terminals.
Official board papers show the North Norfolk International Terminals optimisation programme is 86.9% complete, with the project remaining on schedule and on budget.
The development will reconfigure and modernise the northern section of the container terminal, adding semi-automated stacking systems, new ship-to-shore cranes and an additional berth capable of handling ultra-large containerships.
Once completed in 2027, the project will provide capacity for an additional 1.4m teu a year and lift Norfolk International Terminals’ total annual capacity to approximately 3.6m teu.
The terminal’s container yard will operate with 58 semi-automated stacks served by 96 stacking cranes.
The port has also relocated four ship-to-shore cranes at Virginia International Gateway from berth two to berth three, improving the distribution of equipment across the terminal’s 4,000 ft quay.
The Norfolk project forms part of the Port of Virginia’s wider $1.4bn gateway investment programme, which includes channel deepening, rail capacity and terminal upgrades.
The authority recently completed work creating a 55 ft-deep commercial shipping channel capable of supporting two-way movements by fully laden ultra-large containerships.
