b'NOVEMBER 2024NORTH AMERICAS TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS NEWSPAPER 31Virginia Maritime Association recognizes leaders in maritimeThe Virginia Maritime Association (VMA) hosted its 21st Annual International Trade Symposium (VMA24) and inaugural International Bulk Conference at The Hilton Norfolk | The Main on October 8-10, 2024, drawing landmark attendance with global industry leaders and stakeholders for three days of key insights, engaging panels, and networking.Governor Glenn Youngkin opened the event, celebrating Virginias position as a global maritime leader with its strong infrastructure, workforce development, and pro-business climate. The Port of Virginia alongside Governor Youngkin, honored The DeLong Co., Inc. with the 2024 Port of Virginia Shipper of the Year award for its outstanding contribu-tions as an agricultural exporter.Edward F. OCallaghan received the Distinguished Service Award for his four-decade career in logistics, while Jeffrey Allen Orrock of the National Weather Service earned the Port Champion Award for supporting safe marine operations. Retiring CBP Port Director Mark Laria was also recognized for his contributions to Virginias ports.(L to R) Virginia Delegate Bonita Anthony, Lang WilliamsColliers International, Diane KaufmanSenator Tim Kaines (L to R) Dave ChenowithHost Agencies, Kelsey Host Office, Michael ColemanCV International / Capes Shipping,(L to R) Brandon BickhamThe DeLong Co., Inc., Sarcone-serenity Capital Partners, Kate TorpeyASBA,Virginia Senator Angela Williams Graves,Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, Tom CapozziThe Port of Vansanth VenkatachalamMid Ship Group Drew LumpkinHampton Roads Executive Roundtable Virginia,Greg EdwardsThe Port of Virginia(L to R) Ray Newlonret. Hapag Lloyd, US Coast guard & (L to R) Clifton Styles, Amanda Robinson, Krystina Pollard,(L to R) Jenny Allison, Kelly Smith, Robert Worst,former VMA president; Jim FordCPO; George Brownret. Bradley Ahlemeyer (all from McAllister Towing) Arielle Benfield, Hunter Smith, Bailey Lentz (all from IMC) CPO & VPA board; Roger GiesingerHRSA(L to R) Matthew SpartzShipco Transport USA, Brian(L to R) Ross Grogg- Kemper Consulting, Marianne Radcliff (L to R) Jeremy BridgesHRSA, Art MoyeRet. VMA,Kempisty Port X Logistics, Lars JensenVespucci Maritime Kemper Consulting, Steven EdwardsVPA Mike DarrowUSACE(DIGScontinued from page 30) a regional team effort among the Norfolk District, theThe Thimble Shoal Channel will also be widened up to the amount of time vessels spend on berth by up to 15%. Virginia Port Authority and the City of Virginia Beach1,400 feet in select areas, allowing for ultra-large con-g AteWAyi nvestmentP rOgrAm that showcase our efforts to efficiently and sustainablytainer vessel two-way traffic. Completion of the full Nor-delivereconomic,environmentalandsocialbenefitsfolk Harbor navigation-improvement project is expected Stephen Edwards, Virginia Port Authority CEO andthrough collaboration. around 2025.Executive Director, said, The work the port team didLJ Hansen, Director of Public Works for the City ofIn addition to accommodating larger container ves-during fiscal year 2024 is critical to theVirginia Beach, pointed out, Protectingsels, the widened channel is intended to focus on creat-progress we are making on the projectsthe infrastructure in our resort area anding efficiency, support larger cargo volumes, and increase that are part of our [$1.4 billion] Gatewaystrengthening the shorelines along our res- the speed of cargo moving through the gateway.Investment Program. idential beaches is a small investment thatThis is a true advantage for anyone delivering to He continued, We are doing exactlycan pay big dividends. Since 2003, theseor from America, Edwards acknowledged. Our wider what we set out to do, which is deliverreplenishmenteffortshaveavertedmil- channel sets The Port of Virginia apart by allowing for world-class, twenty-first century servicelions of dollars in storm-related damage. consistentvesselflow,increasingberthandcontainer to our users, enhance efficiency and capa- Edwardsalsoreported,Thisfinalyard efficiencies, and further improving harbor safety.bilities, expand infrastructure, become aphase means we are nearing the finish ofHe summed up, Ocean carriers are putting larger moresustainableoperation,andmakea critical maritime infrastructure project,vessels into their East Coast port rotations with additional inroads into new markets. We are furtherwhich is the creation of the deepest portULCVs on order, and our partners know their vessels will developing our assets to ensure the needson the U.S. East Coast. The U.S. Armynot outgrow our capabilities. In Virginia, there is no con-of our customers and [port] users will notCorps of Engineers has worked diligentlycern for channel width, overhead draft restrictions, capac-outgrow our capabilities in Virginia. with us to widen and deepen the oceanity or cargo handling infrastructure.AsanadditionalbenefitoftheStephen Edwards, VPA CEOapproach,thecommercialchannel,and channel-dredgingproject,aportionof& Executive Director the Norfolk Harbor, allowing The Port ofn eWr Ails ervicel Ayst rAcK FOrF uturethe dredge material has been earmarked for use in beachVirginia to safely and efficiently handle the biggest shipsAt the start of 2024, the terminals at The Port of Vir-nourishment in Virginia Beach. The placement of dredgedin the global container trade. This partnership is makingginia began using electricity from clean sources, and the material is intended to provide storm risk managementnavigation in Virginia safer, and is helping to grow Theport launched the widened shipping channel. Along with benefits for the citizens and businesses of Virginia Beach.Port of Virginia, which is to the benefit of all Virginians,those two projects are many other projects that will benefit Col. Brian Hallberg, USACE Norfolk District Commander,and it positions us for the future. the port, such as an expanded rail service. The new daily explained how one project benefits the other. service expands logistic options between the Port of Vir-The Norfolk District is committed to ensuring theW ider , d eePer , s AFer ginias primary container terminals and Memphis, Tennes-Atlantic Ocean Channel dredging project is a success- Accordingtoprojectdetails,theWider,Deeper,see, and serves to increase the ports reach to western and ful part of the Norfolk Harbor Deepening project, heSafer dredging project will deepen the Inner Harborsouthern locations.said, and added, The arrangements for beneficial usechannelsto55-feet,ChesapeakeBays ThimbleShoalEdwards said, We welcomed new vessel services of the sand at Resort and Croatan Beaches were trulyChannel to 56 feet and Atlantic Ocean Channel to 59-feet.(DIGScontinued on page 36)'