Port of Virginia to handle the biggest ships calling the east coast

The Port of Virginia is making significant progress towards the goal to become the deepest commercial port on the U.S. East Coast.

In their latest update on the project, the port said that Phase 1 of this massive dredging project is over 82% complete.

“In parallel to processing record volumes in July, the port’s infrastructure investment continues with both long- and short-term projects aimed at driving efficiency, preparing for the future and capturing more cargo,” the port said.

“Dredging on the Thimble Shoal West project will resume in November and there is an estimated 60 days (+/-) of work remaining,” added the port.

They also announced that the bid for the second phase of dredging – Thimble Shoal East – is complete and the work will begin in early 2022.

Works on the first phase started last October when New Jersey-based Weeks Marine began the deepening of the western side of the Thimble Shoal Channel.

The contract for the first phase is $78 million and the total cost of the dredging project, including the preliminary engineering and design work, is $350 million.

Overall, the work includes dredging the shipping channels to 55 feet – with deeper ocean approaches – and widening the channel to more than 1,400 feet in specific areas.

When dredging is complete in 2024, the commercial channels serving the Norfolk Harbor will be able to simultaneously accommodate two, ultra-large container vessels.