Environmental Sustainability
The Port of Virginia is taking deliberate actions to use clean fuels to move your cargo and power our operations. By 2024, we will be sourcing our electricity from 100 percent clean energy. Creating a carbon-neutral operation requires vision, planning and a long-term commitment. Fortunately, we began this effort years before last spring’s Net-Zero announcement and continue to make progress.
More than six years ago, we began electrifying our terminals, replacing aging equipment with greener machines and leveraging emerging technology. Today, from the big ship-to-shore cranes to the forklifts in the shops, more than 50 percent of the equipment we use is electric or hybrid-electric. Additionally, we deployed a pilot of four new all-electric yard tractors at Norfolk International Terminals last December. Testing will inform future decisions regarding our fleet composition.
In addition, we are powering our facilities from clean and sustainable sources. As the availability of power from resources like nuclear, solar and wind becomes more widespread, we will continue to take advantage of this opportunity.
We are proud to announce that we will be the only U.S. East Coast port to fulfill all of our electrical power needs from clean energy sources next year. This includes our inland port as well, which recently began using 100 percent clean power for its operational needs. These are deliberate steps that are part of an even larger program.
Decarbonizing Our Operations
The Port of Virginia benefits from a unique operating model known as “The Virginia Model.” We own and/or operate six marine and general cargo terminals, along with the associated terminal-handling equipment and intermodal truck chassis. Our business model enables us to ensure our decarbonization strategy and goals remain aligned across all operations and throughout the organization.
We are transitioning to renewable energy sources across all port operations, reducing fuel emissions, and investing in zero-emission technologies that will help us achieve our target of net-zero emissions by 2040 (Scope 1 & 2 Emissions).
Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2040
Operating on 69% Clean Energy
The Port of Virginia has taken deliberate steps to purchase electricity sourced from clean energy. In 2022, we entered into a long-term Power Purchase Agreement with Dominion Energy scaled to meet our growth in Hampton Roads and Richmond and a similar agreement with Rappahannock Energy Cooperative for the Virginia Inland Port.
Currently, 69 percent of our electric consumption is sourced from clean energy. In 2024, this will be 100 percent as Dominion Energy will bring the Bookers Mill solar farm online.
Committed to UN Sustainability Goals 9, 13, and 14
Our comprehensive strategy focuses on where we can make the most significant improvements in decarbonizing our operations. We recognize the importance of our role in industry and innovation, doing our part to reduce climate change, and ensuring we protect life below the water and along our shorelines.
