THE Port of Virginia has reached a milestone in its ongoing effort to enhance port access and improve operating efficiency by widening and deepening its access channel.

The US Coast Guard Sector Virginia officially removed the one-way restrictions in Thimble Shoal Channel West Reach on March 1, meaning the channel can now handle two-way traffic for ultra-large container vessels.

Widening the channel is part of the port's US$1.4 billion strategic infrastructure investment package that focuses on creating efficiency, supporting larger cargo volumes, and increasing the speed of cargo moving through the gateway.

According to port officials, the project will reduce the amount of time one of the large vessels spends in port by up to 15 per cent, which also reduces emissions, reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.

"Ocean carriers are putting larger vessels into their east coast port rotations with additional ULCVs on order, and our partners know their vessels will not outgrow our capabilities," said Stephen Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. "In Virginia, there is no concern for channel width, overhead draft restrictions, capacity, or cargo handling infrastructure."

In parallel to widening the channel, the port is also dredging Thimble Shoal Channel and the Norfolk Harbour to 55 feet deep and the ocean approach to 59 feet deep. Upon completion of the $450 million dredging project in fall 2025, the Port of Virginia promotes that it will have "the deepest, widest channels on the US east coast.