KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The move to make The Port of Virginia®, the deepest port on the United States East Coast begins in January, following finalisation of a contract with the dredging firm that will build the project’s initial phase.
Virginia Port Authority chief executive officer and executive director, John F. Reinhart recently signed a contract with New Jersey-based Weeks Marine to begin construction, according to a statement.
The contract for the first phase is US$78 million and the total cost of the project, including the preliminary engineering and design work is US$350 million. (US$1 = RM4.18)
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.
“Virginia is well-positioned to be the premier gateway for trade on the East Coast. We are building a world-class port and thinking long-term with focus on productivity and service for decades to come,” said Reinhart.
The port is less than a year away from completing a US$750 million expansion of its two primary container terminals. When complete, the port will have the capacity to handle one million additional containers annually.
-- BERNAMA
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