17 April 2020
The Port of Virginia announced that as from 4 May its 287 acres Portsmouth Marine Terminal will be closed. In a statement published on its website, the U.S. East Coast port referred to the record number of blank sailings and idled containerships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, stating it has witnessed a marked decline in current and forecasted volumes from its shippers and ocean carriers. The port authority will direct incoming volumes to two nearby container terminals, including the semi-automated Virginia International Gateway, where gate hours will be adjusted.