Virginia ramps up north berth with Konecranes ASCs

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The US East Coast Port of Virginia is purchasing 36 new automated stacking cranes (ASCs) as part of its new modernisation plan for the North Berth at Norfolk International Terminals (NIT).

The US Port of Virginia has placed an order with Konecranes for 36 new ASC units as part of its largescale modernisation project at NIT

This order is worth almost US$150 million and will see the new cranes delivered in two batches by Konecranes of Finland. The first 18 units are scheduled to arrive in mid-2025, with the second set due in mid-2027, which is in accordance with the construction phases.

The North Berth project is modernising and expanding the current infrastructure so that 1.4 million TEU per annum can be handled, leading to a total capacity of 3.6 million TEU per annum at the combined North and South berths.

Key components of the North Berth project include installation of new ship-to-shore cranes and a new container yard, which is being configured around the use of ASCs, and a new operating system. As a result, the port is expecting to be able to operate a greater density of container stacking and improved productivity.

Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and Executive Director, Virginia Port Authority, notes: “We are nearing the start of construction on the North Berth project, and it is important that we get our equipment orders coordinated with the completion of construction. The North Berth project is the last piece in the overall modernisation of our primary container terminals and the timing of how we proceed will be critical to the success of this project.”

The timing of this project is also critical because it must finish on schedule so that other ongoing work, such as the completion of NIT’s Central Rail Yard expansion and the 55ft channel deepening process, can complement the extra capacity.

“Cargo owners, ocean carriers and logistics providers are going to closely following our progress. Many of the ocean carriers that call Virginia today are putting new, larger vessels into service during the next few years. We are telling them that they can bring those vessels to Virginia without concern for channel depth and width, rail capacity or modern terminals that can process large amounts of cargo with consistent eﬃciency,” Edwards adds, before confirming that construction work on the North Berth project will commence in Summer 2023.

In 2022, the port handled 3.7 million TEU, an increase of 5.1 per cent over the 2021 total of 3.5 million TEU. For the year through April 2023, total container volumes are down by 12.2 per cent due to weaker loaded import activity.