Sustainability and the Port of Virginia

By Brent Hunt, Project Executive, Skanska

The American Association of Port Authorities forecasts a 15 percent increase in US freight movement by 2045 and by 2037, US seaports are anticipated to export more than 52 million shipping containers annually. As 90 percent of global goods are conveyed via ship, port disruptions can reverberate through the global economy. Therefore, it’s imperative to fortify infrastructure and enhance port resilience for the future of safe freight movement.

The Port of Virginia, along with numerous other American ports, is actively pursuing ambitious sustainability goals. These efforts are reflected in many infrastructure projects designed to modernize port facilities, increase operational efficiency, and significantly reduce environmental impact. With the commitment to becoming NetZero by 2040, the Port of Virginia stands at the forefront of this transformation, serving as a model for other ports nationwide.

The Port of Virginia’s Sustainability Commitment

The Port of Virginia’s commitment to sustainability is underscored by its ambitious goal to become NetZero by 2040. This milestone aims to eliminate the port’s carbon footprint through various green initiatives, including the transition to renewable energy sources, the electrification of port operations, and infrastructure modernization.

• Clean Energy Utilization: The port invests in wind and solar power to supply its energy needs. This transition to renewable energy is a critical step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a cleaner environment.
• Electrification of Equipment: The port is systematically replacing diesel-powered equipment with electric alternatives. This includes cranes, trucks, and other cargo-handling machinery. The electrification of equipment not only cuts down on emissions but also reduces noise pollution, enhancing the overall working environment.
• Infrastructure Modernization: The Port of Virginia is undergoing extensive modernization projects to improve efficiency and capacity. These projects are designed to handle larger volumes of cargo more effectively, reducing the environmental impact per unit of cargo handled.

Skanska’s Role at the Port of Virginia’s Infrastructure Enhancements

Skanska is, or has been, instrumental in several key projects either underway or completed at the Port of Virginia. These projects are critical to the port’s sustainability and modernization goals:

• Norfolk International Terminal North Wharf Upgrades: Skanska, in partnership with McLean Contracting Company, is leading an $85 million project to revitalize the Norfolk International Terminal North Wharf. This project includes the removal and installation of new marine wharf fenders, mooring hardware, a steel sheet pile toe wall, wharf repairs, mooring dolphins, and a new 120-foot gauge ship-to-shore crane rail. It is part of a larger $650 million project which includes 18 automated stacks, 36 gantry cranes, six ship-to-shore cranes, and a reinforced berth, increasing the port’s annual capacity to 5.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). These improvements will enhance operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
• Portsmouth Marine Terminal Redevelopment: Skanska is redeveloping approximately 72 acres of the 287-acre Portsmouth Marine Terminal for use as an offshore wind staging port for Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) initiative. CVOW, one of the largest offshore wind projects under development in the United States, is expected to generate fuel savings of $3 billion for customers during the project’s first 10 years of operation. Skanska’s work improving 1,500 feet of an existing 3,540-foot wharf includes constructing three heavy lift berths, the wind turbine generator delivery berth, the installation/load-out berth, and the monopile delivery berth. In addition, it is strengthening the soils and surface in the upland areas to accommodate handling heavy surface loadings from cranes, self-propelled modular transporters, wind turbine generators, and monopile and transition piece components. The team is also installing high mast lighting, stormwater collection systems, and other ancillary structures and systems. As part of the project sustainability efforts, Skanska recycled approximately 200,000 tons of asphalt and 50,000 tons of concrete on site and repurposed it for use as part of the new construction.

Nationwide Efforts in Port Sustainability

The Port of Virginia’s initiatives are part of a broader trend across American ports. Nationwide, there are currently more than 50 significant construction projects aimed at enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of port operations. Examples of these efforts include:

• South Brooklyn Marine Terminal: Skanska is transforming the 73-acre South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) into one of the nation’s largest dedicated offshore wind ports. This critical infrastructure project will support Empire Wind, which is posed to deliver 810 MW of renewable power to New York. The work includes significant waterfront and marine upgrades, including dredging of new and existing berths, bulkhead upgrades, and installation of new wharf and dock facilities. A new 85,000-square-foot operations and maintenance building with warehouse, office, and parking facilities will also be constructed to support the construction and ongoing operations and maintenance of the Empire Wind 1 project.
• Port of Savannah: The Georgia Port Authority is developing pop-up container yards to alleviate congestion and reduce emissions from idling ships and trucks​.
• Gulf Coast Ports: Ports from Brownsville, Texas, to New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama, are investing approximately $5.4 billion in expansion projects slated to be completed by 2027. These projects involve deepening and widening channels, modernizing terminals, and incorporating green technologies.
• Port of Los Angeles: The Port of Los Angeles has been awarded $233 million in grants from the State of California to complete essential infrastructure projects aimed at creating a more efficient and sustainable supply chain. This includes the Maritime Support Facility (MSF) Improvement and Expansion Project that will expand from 30 to 71 acres of area used for chassis and empty container storage to accommodate all 12 container terminals at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The Rail Mainline/Wilmington Community & Waterfront Pedestrian Grade Separation Bridge involves constructing a 400-foot pedestrian bridge over freight tracks to provide a safer connection between the Wilmington community, local schools, and the Port of Los Angeles’ Wilmington Waterfront area. State Route 47/Seaside Avenue and Navy Way Interchange Improvements will improve traffic operations, reduce collisions, and enhance safety.
• Port of New Orleans: The Louisiana International Terminal project, a $1.5 billion investment, aims to build a state-of-the-art container terminal. This project includes green initiatives such as using low-emission equipment and improving water management systems.
• Port of Houston: The $1 billion Project 11 program will deepen and widen the Houston Ship Channel, enhancing efficiency and reducing emissions from congestion​​.
• Port of Freeport: Significant investments, including a $295 million project to deepen and widen the harbor channel, will accommodate larger vessels, increasing capacity and operational efficiency​.

Future Directions and Goals

The ongoing projects at American ports represent a significant step toward achieving long-term sustainability goals. These projects are designed to meet the increasing demands of global trade while minimizing environmental impacts. The strategic focus is on:

• Reducing Carbon Emissions: Through electrification and the use of renewable energy sources, ports aim to drastically cut down their carbon footprints.
• Enhancing Operational Efficiency: Modernized infrastructure, such as deeper and wider channels, helps accommodate larger vessels, which are typically more fuel-efficient.
• Improving Resilience: Ports are becoming more resilient to climate change impacts, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events, through better planning and infrastructure.

Conclusion

The Port of Virginia, alongside other American ports, is leading a transformative effort towards sustainability. With extensive infrastructure projects underway, supported by substantial federal investments, these ports are not only improving their operational efficiency but also paving the way for a greener future in maritime logistics. These initiatives reflect a broader commitment to sustainability, enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of American ports in the global economy. By focusing on clean energy, electrification, and modernization, the Port of Virginia and other ports are setting a new standard for sustainable port operations, ensuring long-term environmental and economic benefits for the nation.