VMA HOLDS ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL PORT DAY
On February 9th, the VMA continued to advocate for Virginia’s maritime supply chain during the 2023 Session in Richmond, Virginia. On February 9th, “Port Day” commenced when seventy VMA members, divided into twenty different teams, visited over eighty elected officials to discuss the issues most relevant to Virginia’s maritime & supply chain industries. Representing all VMA Chapter regions and a wide range of industry sectors, the VMA delegation advocated for the support of several budget amendments and proposed bills that would further protect, promote, and encourage commerce through Virginia’s ports and associated supply chains.
After the visits, the VMA delegation had the opportunity to hear from Attorney General Jason Miyares during “Port Day’s” concluding luncheon.
Regarding specific items advocated for, several examples include funding:
•Site Development Programs that would help identify the Commonwealth’s current portfolio of industrial properties available for economic development projects.
•Workforce Development Programs that would provide no-cost training and recruitment services to select companies expanding in the Commonwealth, as well as encourage and support work-related collaboration among businesses, educational organizations, and governmental bodies in each region’s prioritized industry sector.
The VMA also focused on several legislative items, to include:
•Creating a Department of Workforce Development & Advancement to consolidate and improve how the Commonwealth delivers workforce development programs. We are currently monitoring this legislation to ensure it meets the needs of our member companies.
•Amending the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program to increase the number of eligible sites by changing the minimum acreage requirements from one hundred acres to fifty acres.
•The creation of the Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition Fund & Program.
•Amending the Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund to allow more flexibility to fund the transportation infrastructure needed to support major economic development projects.
•Amending the Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund to allow more flexibility to fund the transportation infrastructure needed to support major economic development projects.
•Requiring that localities consider freight transportation corridors in their comprehensive planning.
•Supporting the development of offshore wind and the associated opportunities to expand and further diversify Virginia’s robust maritime industry.
•The conversion of port tax credits to grants to improve utilization.
As demonstrated in several of the previously mentioned budget amendments and proposed bills the VMA supported, Workforce Development continues to be a front-and-center priority for the Association.
“The single most common concern we hear today from our over 450 member companies in maritime industries and port-related supply chains are about their ability to find enough people who possess the skills, training, and education they need to keep their businesses growing. Now is the time for new results-oriented approaches to preparing and matching people to well-paying and rewarding jobs that need to be filled in our industry and in other sectors of our economy. The Virginia Maritime Association looks forward to collaborating with Governor Youngkin and the General Assembly to ensure the commonwealth’s workforce programs are aligned with the needs of our member businesses so we can keep Virginia’s economy moving forward and outperform our competition,” said David White, Executive Director of the Association.
The 2023 Session of the General Assembly is adjourned on February 25th, and the VMA team will provide further updates as they develop. If you have further questions on the VMA’s Legislative Priorities for 2023, please do not hesitate to ask.
OFFICERS
Chairman of the Board
Micheal Coleman
CV International, Inc
President
Judy Barrett
Townebank
Vice Presidents
Lang Williams
Colliers
Kenneth Flowers
Moran Norfolk
Capt.Whiting Chisman
Virginia Pilot Association
Executive Director & Secretary
David C. White
Virginia Maritime Association
Treasurer
Camille Cherry
Crofton Industries
Assistant Treasurer
Tracy Gregorio
G2 Ops Inc
STAFF
Vice President of Finances & Administration.............................. Sam Davis
Vice President of Industry & Government Affairs....................... Will Fediw
Director of Membership
Development............................Kristen Greene
Executive Assistant................ Jennifer S. Deason
Event Manager & Accounting Assistant............ Jennifer N. Parham
Marketing Coordinator.................. Will Ward
Membership & Publications
Coordinator.....................Susan N. Wisniewski
PORT’S FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY EARNS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS
NORFOLK, VA – The Port of Virginia recently received a pair of awards for its ongoing efforts to become a better steward of the local environment and its contribution to the creation of a greener supply chain.
In January, the port received its 21st consecutive River Star Business Award for Sustained Distinguished Performance from the Elizabeth River Project (ERP) and an inaugural Thoroughbred Sustainability Partner Award from Norfolk Southern.
The ERP is a regional non-profit that helps protect the river and its watershed through supporting and promoting sustainable development and redevelopment, shoreline restoration and education. Norfolk Southern is a Class I railroad that provides rail service to the port. The railroad’s sustainability program centers on energy efficiency, innovation and environmental stewardship.
“Being recognized for the work we are putting into our sustainability goal helps affirm our efforts,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “We’re building the port of the future and the US East Coast’s premiere port complex. A very important focus of this effort is our strategic and intentional investment in, and commitment to environmental sustainability for future generations.
“Norfolk Southern and ERP are different kinds of organizations that share some very common goals and philosophy in the area of sustainability. The fact that they see our overall efforts hold value to the community, the environment and the supply chain are important to us.”
Since 2001, ERP has recognized the port for pollution prevention, storm water control initiatives and habitat restoration like the development of oyster reefs and wetlands. This year, ERP recognized the port’s ongoing work to reduce carbon emissions and continued innovation. The port’s efforts include:
•Emissions Reduction – The port and Norfolk Tug further increased barge operations running between the Norfolk Harbor and Richmond Marine Terminal to reduce truck traffic and air emissions. In 2021, the barge service reduced air emissions by 11.2 million pounds, when compared with the emissions if transported by truck.
•More efficient equipment – The port added 10 new hybrid shuttle trucks at Virginia International Gateway (VIG) where 33 percent of equipment is electric and 16 percent is hybrid.
•Operational efficiency – In 2022, turn-times for motor carriers at VIG and Norfolk International Terminals averaged 40 minutes. Faster turn-times means less time spent idling and a reduction in emissions.
•Reducing impacts per cargo unit – Since 2017, there has been a 42 percent reduction in fuel consumption per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) and a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at the port.
•Reducing waste and increasing recycling – Recycling rates have gone from 30 percent in 2020 to 68 percent in 2021.
The Port of Virginia “Port’s Focus on Sustainability Earns Environmental Awards from Norfolk Southern, Elizabeth River Project ” February 14, 2023VIP BEGINS BY GETTING ALL OF ITS OPERATIONAL POWER NEEDS FROM CLEAN ENERGY
NORFOLK, VA — Virginia Inland Port (VIP) is fulfilling all of its operational electricity needs from clean-energy resources and in doing so moves The Port of Virginia forward with its goal of reducing emissions and becoming carbon-neutral by 2040.
The inland port gets its power from Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and through a new agreement the cooperative will provide clean electricity to VIP from Virginia-based solar installations. The clean energy began flowing on Jan. 1; VIP is the first of the port’s six general cargo terminals to get 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources.
“We have a clearly-stated goal of getting away from fossil fuel use and this is another important step forward,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA). “This port is a modern, world-class operation and we are overlaying it with a twenty-first century approach to sustainability. This move helps reduce our contribution to global climate change and will help make us a leader among our US East Coast peers in terms of environmental sustainability.”
The move to renewable energy is part of the overall expansion and modernization of VIP. This year work begins on a $15 million capacity expansion that will create more capacity and efficiency. When the work is complete, the terminal will retire straddle carriers and begin using rubber-tire gantry cranes to move containers from railcars to trucks.
“A reconfigured rail operation and container stacking area
combined with new cargo conveyance equipment will give us room to grow and drive efficiency in the same space, but with a smaller carbon footprint,” Edwards said. “VIP will be better, as a terminal and as a neighbor.”
The port is already sourcing some of its electricity for cargo operations at its terminals in the Norfolk Harbor from renewable sources. By 2024, the port will fulfill all of its electricity needs at its marine terminals from renewable recourses, well ahead of the original 2032 “SCOPE 2” deadline.
“Nearly six years ago, we began to electrify our operation, audit carbon emissions, replace aging equipment with greener machines and make greater use of technology,” Edwards said. “As a result, more than one-third of the equipment we use on terminal today is electric and our use of technology is driving efficiency
“Our effort aligns us with some of the world’s leading ocean carriers, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and multinational corporations. It is also a strategic business decision. Consumers worldwide are demanding clean – green — supply chains and our work puts The Port of Virginia at the forefront of this change.”
PORT CONTINUES PROGRESS ON SUSTAINABILITY GOAL; ELECTRIC TRACTORS IN SERVICE
NORFOLK, VA — The Port of Virginia is using four new all-electric trucks in its cargo operation at Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) as part of the port’s larger effort of becoming carbon-neutral by 2040.
These are the first zero-emission vehicles in use at NIT, which has a fleet of 100 diesel yard tractors that are used to ferry containers around the terminal. The new vehicles -- MAFI T230e Electric Yard Tractors -- and the installation of charging infrastructure are another step toward The Port of Virginia’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2040, which was announced last spring.
“Adding this equipment to our fleet of yard tractors allows us to retire some older units and move toward a greener future,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “We are always looking for innovative equipment, technology and processes to help attain our goal and do so ahead of our schedule.”
The new trucks went into operation Jan. 12 and will soon be outfitted with GPS (global positioning system) technology that will connect them with the terminal’s operating system. This will allow for location tracking and route mapping, which will drive efficiency.
The electric yard tractors were delivered by Current Trucking in December 2022 and will offset 266 metric tons of carbon per year, which is equivalent to more than 300 acres of forest sequestration. Current Trucking deploys electric vehicles in the Class 3–8 segment and offers solutions inclusive of EV truck procurement and charging infrastructure.
“Our effort aligns us with some of the world’s leading ocean carriers, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and multinational corporations. It is also a strategic business decision,” Edwards said. “Consumers worldwide are demanding clean, green supply chains and our work puts The Port of Virginia at the forefront of this change.”
The Port of Virginia. “Port Continues Progress on Sustainability Goal; Puts Four, All-Electric Yard Tractors Into Service”.February 7th, 2023. The Port of Virginia “VIP Begins 2023 by Getting All of Its Operational Power Needs from Clean Energy Resources” February 1, 2023CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SUBMARINE FACILITY IN NEWPORT NEWS
NEWPORT NEWS, VA (Feb. 9, 2023) — Global all-domain defense partner HII (NYSE: HII) recently broke ground on a new project that will support nuclear submarine construction at its Newport News Shipbuilding division.
The Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility is one of three new facilities, enabling NNS to further support the construction and delivery of Columbia– and Virginia-class submarines.
“The Navy has made it clear how important both the Columbiaand Virginia-class submarine programs are to our nation’s defense,” said Brandi Smith, NNS vice president of Columbiaclass submarine construction. “The Multi-Class Submarine
Production Facility is an intentional investment to accelerate our efforts to deliver the highest quality submarines our Navy needs.”
The groundbreaking marked the first phase of construction. Work on two additional facilities is expected to begin later this year. The Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility is designed to be adaptable, allowing NNS to support both Columbia- and Virginia-class construction.
The Multi-Class Submarine Production Facility is funded jointly by the Navy and HII, and is part of $1.9 billion in capital investments HII is making at NNS between 2016 and 2025.
Huntington Ingall Industries.“HII Breaks Ground On New Submarine Facility At Newport News Shipbuilding” February 9, 2023, Photo courtesy of Huntington Ingall Industries/ Photographer Lexi Whitehead
PORT OF VIRGINIA BEGINS 2023 WITH SOLID VOLUMES
NORFOLK, VA – The Port of Virginia processed nearly 290,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in January with growth in loaded exports accounting for more than one-third of that volume.
The port’s total TEU volume increased 10 percent when compared with last January. Loaded exports helped carry the month with growth of nearly 27,000 TEUs, an increase of 37 percent; imports were up nearly 7,000 TEUs, or 5.5 percent. In addition, the port had 143 vessel calls, which is an increase of 36 versus last January. “Our year is underway with solid volumes report and to see the export side of our business growing is important,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “It is a sign that shippers of American-made goods and raw materials are choosing The Port of Virginia as their East Coast gateway.
Edwards said the interest from ocean carriers and cargo owners in The Port of Virginia remains very high because it is maintaining
its efficiency while pushing ahead with critical infrastructure projects.
January Cargo Snapshot (2023, percentage change vs. 2022)
• Total TEUs – 288,388, up 10.1%
• Loaded Export TEUs – 96,433, up 38.6%
• Loaded Import TEUs – 134,595, up 5.5%
• Total Containers – 160,432, up 11%
• Virginia Inland Port Containers – 2,385, up 23.4%
• Ship Calls – 143, up 33.6%
The Port Of Virginia. “Virginia Begins 2023 With Solid Volumes as Loaded Exports Grow Nearly 40% vs Last Year” February 21, 2023VESSELS BY
PORT OF HAMPTON ROADS TEU’S
ASSOCIATION IN ACTION
Each January, the Association devotes much effort to representing the interests of the VMA membership during the legislative session of Virginia’s General Assembly. Priorities for VMA during the 2023 session emphasized continued investment in Virginia’s freight transportation infrastructure, business ready sites, new-market supply chain opportunities such as offshore wind, as well as increasing investment and improving how the state participates in workforce development to meet the needs of VMA member businesses. Over 40 bills and budget proposals were identified as part of VMA’s legislative agenda or to be monitored for possible defensive intervention.
In addition to the state-level advocacy, the VMA keeps Virginia’s Congressional delegation informed of the needs and priorities of the industry. In January, this included several meetings with key staff advising Virginia’s Senators and members in the House. Topics included funding for priority navigation projects, infrastructure, related grant programs, and the resourcing for CBP, Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, NOAA, and other agencies which support the maritime industry.
A preliminary meeting was held with VDOT representatives regarding the planning for necessary maintenance work needed at the James River Bridge which could have an extended impact on commercial vessel traffic.
As a member of the Steering Committee for the efforts of the Hampton Roads Alliance to implement an energy roadmap, VMA contributed to a discussion exploring the use of hydrogen in the transportation sector. Talks included the potential for a green hydrogen demonstration site and the development of a Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub.
VMA was pleased to be invited to make a presentation to the membership of the Kiwanis Club of Virginia Beach about the breadth and impacts of our port and maritime industry, as well as the direction of our port and activities of the VMA.
VMA was also honored by the new NOAA Director of the Office of Coast Survey, Rear Admiral Ben Evans, took time to meet with VMA while in Norfolk. It provided an opportunity to connect and coordinate with him on matters such as shipping fairways and anchorages, offshore wind development, NOAA’s data and charting products, uncrewed systems, and other topics.
VMA represents the interests of our port and member businesses on a number of standing boards, advisory committees, and in other venues. In January, these included:
•Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority, chaired by VMA’s Will Fediw.
•ODU Maritime and Supply Chain Advisory Council.
COMMITTEES
MEMBERSHIP (FEBRUARY 7) In February, the committee launched its first ever membership orientation program. The program was created to help new and current members navigate all that VMA has to offer. The hour-long orientation gives members a chance to introduce themselves, showcase their company, and learn more about how to get plugged into the VMA through committees, advocacy work, networking, sponsorship, and marketing opportunities. Outside of launching the membership orientation program, the committee has been busy accessing their “to-dos” from the new strategic plan that was approved by the membership in December at the Annual Business Meeting.
COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH (JANUARY 4) The committee was briefed on the Governor’s 2022-2024 biennial State budget and the FY23 Congressional Appropriations Bill, to include funding levels for relevant programs and projects. The committee also discussed the advocacy for the Southern Branch, VMA’s 2023 Legislative Priorities, upcoming special elections, and Port Day 2023.
PORT SECURITY (JANUARY 12) The committee discussed current security challenges in the maritime environment. Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black PLC provided a presentation on internal Incident Response planning, and USCG Sector Virginia shared an overview of the FY22 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP). Finally, USCG Sector Virginia, CBP, and FBI recapped maritime security and cyber incidents in 2022
OFFSHORE WIND (JANUARY 19) The Virginia Port Authority presented an update for the Portsmouth Marine Terminal construction. Orsted, Avangrid Renewables, and Dominion Energy provided project updates, and the committee was briefed on Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority and Hampton Roads Alliance initiatives and BOEM’s Central Atlantic lease area updates..
