Environmental
SUSTAINABILITY AND THE PORT OF VIRGINIA By Brent Hunt, Project Executive, Skanska
Skanska’s Role at the Port of Virginia’s Infrastructure Enhancements Skanska is, or has been, instrumental in several key projects either underway or completed at the Port of Virginia. These projects are critical to the port’s sustainability and modernization goals: • Norfolk International Terminal North Wharf Upgrades: Skanska, in partnership with McLean Contracting Company, is leading an $85 million project to revitalize the Norfolk International Terminal North Wharf. This project includes the removal and installation of new marine wharf fenders, mooring hardware, a steel sheet pile toe wall, wharf repairs, mooring dolphins, and a new 120-foot gauge ship-to-shore crane rail. It is part of a larger $650 million project which includes 18 automated stacks, 36 gantry cranes, six ship-to-shore cranes, and a reinforced berth, increasing the port’s annual capacity to 5.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). These improvements will enhance operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact. • Portsmouth Marine Terminal Redevelopment: Skanska is redeveloping approximately 72 acres of the 287-acre Portsmouth Marine Terminal for use as an offshore wind staging port for Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) initiative. CVOW, one of the largest offshore wind projects under development in the United States, is expected to generate fuel savings of $3 billion for customers during the project’s first 10 years of operation. Skanska’s work improving 1,500 feet of an existing 3,540-foot wharf includes constructing three heavy lift berths, the wind turbine generator delivery berth, the installation/load-out berth, and the monopile delivery berth. In addition, it is strengthening the soils and surface in the upland areas to accommodate handling heavy surface loadings from cranes, self-propelled modular transporters, wind turbine generators, and monopile and transition piece components. The team is also installing high mast lighting, stormwater collection systems, and other ancillary structures and systems. As part of the project sustainability efforts, Skanska recycled approximately 200,000 tons of asphalt and 50,000 tons of concrete on site and repurposed it for use as part of the new construction.
The American Association of Port Authorities forecasts a 15 percent increase in US freight movement by 2045 and by 2037, US seaports are anticipated to export more than 52 million shipping containers annually. As 90 percent of global goods are conveyed via ship, port disruptions can reverberate through the global economy. Therefore, it’s imperative to fortify infrastructure and enhance port resilience for the future of safe freight movement. The Port of Virginia, along with numerous other American ports, is actively pursuing ambitious sustainability goals. These efforts are reflected in many infrastructure projects designed to modernize port facilities, increase operational efficiency, and significantly reduce environmental impact. With the commitment to becoming NetZero by 2040, the Port of Virginia stands at the forefront of this transformation, serving as a model for other ports nationwide. The Port of Virginia’s Sustainability Commitment The Port of Virginia’s commitment to sustainability is underscored by its ambitious goal to become NetZero by 2040. This milestone aims to eliminate the port’s carbon footprint through various green initiatives, including the transition to renewable energy sources, the electrification of port operations, and infrastructure modernization. • Clean Energy Utilization: The port invests in wind and solar power to supply its energy needs. This transition to renewable energy is a critical step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a cleaner environment. • Electrification of Equipment: The port is systematically replacing diesel-powered equipment with electric alternatives. This includes cranes, trucks, and other cargo-handling machinery. The electrification of equipment not only cuts down on emissions but also reduces noise pollution, enhancing the overall working environment. • Infrastructure Modernization: The Port of Virginia is undergoing extensive modernization projects to improve efficiency and capacity. These projects are designed to handle larger volumes of cargo more effectively, reducing the environmental impact per unit of cargo handled.
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Fall 2024
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