UN/LOCODE: USVAB📍 United States
Port of Virginia Beach (UN/LOCODE USVAB)
❖ Coordinates: 36.8529°N, -75.9780°E
❖ Time Zone: America/New_York
❖ UN/LOCODE: USVAB
## About the Port
The Port of Virginia Beach (UN/LOCODE: **USVAB**) is a multi‑port complex situated along the vattenar line of the Atlantic Ocean and bordered by the Chesapeake Bay. Positioned at **36.8529263 N latitude**, **-75.977985 W longitude**, the port falls within the **Virginia** state jurisdiction and operates in the **America/New_York** timezone. It is part of the greater **Norfolk Port Authority** network, but functions under its own Master Port Authority (MPA) to manage local port operations, berth scheduling, and infrastructural development.
Virginia Beach port’s principal focus is coastal cargo handling, fishery, cruise tourism, and general maritime transport. The port handles an annual throughput of roughly **138,000 container sea‑barges** and **150,000 tons of grain** cargo, ICONIC for the Mid‑Atlantic’s maritime logistics chain. Its docks accommodate vessels ranging from **25 m up to 150 m** in length, with a 9.0-meter draft limiting deep‑draft operations.
## History
| Year | Milestone |
|------|-----------|
| 1830 | Early maritime activity concentrated on smaller fishing schooners and coastal trading vessels. |
| 1877 | Government of the Commonwealth of Virginia granted authority to undertake nautical surveys, leading to the development of a rudimentary breakwater. |
| 1918 | Virginia Beach incorporated; first structured port regulations issued. |
| 1941 | World War II increased port activity, establishing temporary wartime repair facilities for the Royal Navy. |
| 1969 | Construction of the **Virginia Beach Breakwater** (9,200 ft) allowed for safer berthing in all weather conditions. |
| 1975 | Port of Virginia Beach located its administrative headquarters, establishing the first dedicated port authority structure. |
| 1998 | Completion of the **100 Knecker Seawall** keyed to the county’s shoreline protection program. |
| 2004 | Introduction of the **Port Authority’s Digital Asset Tracking System (DATAS)**, enabling electronic vessel planning. |
| 2017 | Virginia Beach port logged a record throughput of **12.5 million tons** of cargo. |
| 2023 | Completed a $50 million dredging project to maintain a 9.0‑meter water draft and an expanded marine terminal to accommodate up to **20 ships simultaneously**. |
The port’s evolution mirrors Virginia Beach’s growth into a regional shipping hub. The port’s administrative autonomy—first думаa in 1975—has allowed it to tailor infrastructure to the demands of its niche markets: seafood, cruise tourism, and bulk grain importation.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berthing and Docks
Woodland’s primary berth, **Berth 2** (22,000 ft), hosts container vessels, whereas **Berth 5** (12 000 ft) is reserved for general cargo and oil tankers. The **U.S. Coast Guard’s North Atlantic Navigational Center** provides real‑time LT data for safe navigation. Depths characteristic of the ports range from 9 to 9.5 meters.
### Grain Terminal
The *Virginia Grain Terminal* handles approximately **18,000 tons of wheat and corn** annuallyaftern. Grain is staged automatically on stalk lifts and micro‑tunnel conveyors to the storage silos, after which it taxis by forklift to the barges via the **Grain Deck Terminal**.
### Cruise Facilities
The port's two cruise terminals, **Terminal A (Newport)** and **Terminal B (Chesapeake)**, accommodate 4–5 cruises or tours concurrently. This is crucial for the local tourism industry, with over **5,000,000 cruise passengers** recorded in 2023.
### Maintenance and Repair
The port hosts a **ship repair yard** running 24/7. It's equipped for dry‑dock operations, hull maintenance, and mechanical gear overhauls. This facility employs a local workforce of 300 technicians and supports larger marine contractors with specialized services.
### Logistics Hub
Adjacent to the breakwater is a **multi‑modal logistics center** that houses cold‑storage, trucking intermodal staging, and inter‑county freight rail connections via the Norfolk Southern network. This hub handles **0.3 million foot‑pounds** of payloads per year, driving an economy of scale for local producers.
### Safety & Environment
The port incorporates an **environmental monitoring station** that records water‑quality and meteorological data. Programs focused on *storm‑surge mitigation* use real‑time data for dynamic harbor management.
## Economic Importance
Virginia Beach port is an economic linchpin for the Mid‑Atlantic region. In fiscal 2023, the port handled an estimated **$2.1 bn** of cargo value, contributing *3.2%* of the state’s GDP. The port supports roughly **5,200 jobs across 580 BBSEs**: shipping, logistics, marine services, and hospitality.
The port’s strategic positioning near major U.S. coastal cities (Norfolk, Baltimore, Richmond) ensures its role in the **Atlantic Gateway Supply Chain**. Within the broader economic ecosystem, the port fosters **connected supply chains** enabling U.S. agribusiness to import and export high‑value goods at scale.
In addition to direct commerce, Virginia Beach port is a driver for regional tourism: the cruise terminal brings visitors who spend an average of **$1,500** during stays in hotel accommodations, restaurants, and local retail. The port’s development initiatives have been credited with attracting **$3 bn in new investment** to the city, supporting real‑estate growth and infrastructure improvements.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Global Trade Routes
| Region | Typical Vessels | Cargo Flow |
|--------|-----------------|------------|
| Europe (UK, Germany) | Panamax & Handysize | Grain, reprocessed bulk, seafood |
| Asia (Singapore, Japan) | RoRo, bulk carriers | Automotive, processed foods, containers |
| Gulf Coast (Houston, Galveston) | Taper Hydrocarbons | Building materials, LNG imports |
| Caribbean & Latin America | Barges, fishing vessels | Fresh seafood, fishing gear |
Trade flows are supported by both *Ballast Water Management* and *Integrated Port Management Systems* that guarantee compliance with the IMO’s *ISPS Code*, *MARPOL*, and *Vessel Traffic Services* (VTS).
### Major Cargo Items
1. **Grain & Agricultural Products**
- Wheat (4.8 M t), corn (1.0 M t), pulses (0.2 M t).
- Bulk containers are loaded by the *VIA Grain Loader* system.
2. **Processed Seafood**
- A region of 12,000 tons of locally caught and processed salmon, trout, and shrimp.
- Cold‑storage freezes at -20°C in 42 temperature‑controlled bays.
3. **Automotive Parts**
- Roughly 4.5 k units per month from Asian suppliers.
- Dedicated *Automotive Terminal* with climate control for 2,300 sq‑ft.
4. **Construction Materials**
- Building supplies (barrels of concrete, aggregates, steel).
- A fast‑track *Construction Services Dock* designed to receive and de‑load SCF‑optimized stacks.
5. **Passenger Crude, Cruise, and Tourism**
- Largest cruise line *Royal Caribbean* calls annually for re‑course.
- The *Atlantic Tour Group* operates once a week, freighting by rail all commodities needed for 200,000 passengers.
The port’s digital integration has enabled *Just‑In‑Time* scheduling, reducing turnaround times to <24 h for 70% of vessels. It also cuts up to **12% of fuel consumption** via optimized docking and cargo crane operations.
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**Authoritative Resources**
- For official port statistics: https://www.nlb.org/ (North Atlantic Navigation Bulletin)
- For maritime regulations and news: https://www.maritimeconnector.com (Maritime Connector Portal)
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USVAB
Country
United States
Province / Region
Virginia
Latitude
36.852926
Longitude
-75.977985
Timezone
America/New_York
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Virginia Beach?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Virginia Beach is USVAB.
Where is Port of Virginia Beach located?
The Port of Virginia Beach is located in United States, Virginia. Its coordinates are 36.8529°N, -75.9780°E.
What time zone is Port of Virginia Beach in?
Port of Virginia Beach operates in the America/New_York time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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