Volume 85 No. 5
May 2021
“The Voice of Port Industries” @VAmaritime
RECORD-BREAKING! 1300-FT CMA CGM MARCO POLO CALLS VIRGINIA PORTSMOUTH | On Sunday, May 23, 2021, the CMA CGM Marco Polo berthed at Virginia International Gateway, one of the six container terminals managed by the Virginia Port Authority. At 1,300-ft in length and with a 177-ft beam, never before has a vessel of its size traversed Virginia’s channels. “Today, as The Port of Virginia welcomes the largest container ship to call the East Coast of the United States, we are witnessing Virginia’s economy in action,” said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. The term “ultra large container vessels” (ULCV), ships able to carry over 10,000 TEUs with lengths greater than 1,200-ft and beams greater than 150-ft, started being used more frequently in the region following the 2017 arrival of the first ULCV to call Hampton Roads, the COSCO Development. To compare the sheer sizes of these vessels, the COSCO Development came in at 1,200-ft long and 158-ft wide with a capacity of 13,093 TEUs, whereas the CMA CGM Marco Polo can carry 16,022 TEUs.
CMA CGM Marco Polo pulling up to VIG dock. Photo courtesy of Virginia Port Authority
Since the COSCO Development, vessels keep breaking the record for largest size and/or load to arrive in Virginia; CMA CGM Theodore Roosevelt, EVERGREEN M/V Triton, CMA CGM Brazil, and now the CMA CGM Marco Polo. What does this type of trend mean for our port? ULCVs are going to keep coming, which is why groups like the Virginia Maritime Association, the Virginia Port Authority, and other port stakeholders have been advocating for wider, deeper, and safer channels. Upon completing this dredging project, the channels will be widened up to 1,400-ft and deepened up to 59-ft in the ocean approaches.
Shannon Valentine, VA Secretary of Transportation, speaking
“This vessel’s size highlights the importance of our channel widening and deepening project,” said Stephen Edwards, CEO and Executive Director, Virginia Port Authority. “By 2024, Virginia will have the widest, deepest and safest commercial channels and harbor on the US East Coast. Our channels will be 55 feet deep and wide enough for safe passage of two-way traffic of vessels this size and bigger. Our target depth will create the necessary bottom-clearance for these ships to load heavy and safely without tidal restrictions.” “Breaking the East Coast’s big-ship record wouldn’t be possible without partners like The Port of Virginia who have made timely infrastructure investments that enable us to proactively serve our customers,” stated Ed Aldridge, president of CMA CGM and APL North America.
INSIDE THIS EDITION h MIC Golf Classic Scores (2) h VMA Commemorative Book (2)
Stephen Edwards and John Milliken of the Virginia Port Authority with Ed Aldridge President CMA CGM (America).
h A Case for Infrastructure (3)
h National Maritime Day (4)
h Prime 3 Duo Develop Software to speed up shipping logistics (3)
h Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School Associate Degree (4)
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