Virginia has completed the $450 million Norfolk Harbor dredging project, increasing channel depth to 55 feet and creating the deepest commercial shipping channel on the East Coast.
The project deepened the harbor and shipping channel by five feet and widened navigation areas to accommodate larger container vessels. The improvements allow ultra-large container ships to transit the harbor with heavier cargo loads while supporting two-way vessel traffic.
The Port of Virginia and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delivered the project as part of ongoing efforts to expand port capacity and improve freight movement through Hampton Roads. The deeper channel is expected to increase operational efficiency, reduce vessel delays, and strengthen the port’s ability to handle growing cargo volumes.
The completed dredging project forms part of the Port of Virginia’s $1.4 billion Gateway Investment Program. Other investments under the program include an $83 million rail capacity expansion, a $220 million redevelopment of Portsmouth Marine Terminal into a heavy-lift facility, and a $650 million modernization of the North Berth at Norfolk International Terminals.