Port of Virginia Receives Six New Gantry Cranes
Six rail-mounted gantry cranes from Finland-based Konecranes arrived at Norfolk International Terminals' North Berth.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Transportation
The Port of Virginia received six rail-mounted gantry cranes at Norfolk International Terminals, a shipment carried into Norfolk Harbor by heavy-lift vessel. The arrival is part of the North Berth modernization project, which is scheduled for completion in spring 2027.
Why it matters
The cranes are critical components of the North Berth's modernization, which is designed to increase container stacking density and productivity. Many ocean carriers calling Virginia are expected to put new, larger vessels into service in the coming years.
Six cranes arrived as part of a package costing nearly $150 million, which will serve 36 rail-mounted gantry cranes at North Berth. Once complete, the terminal will have capacity for 3.6 million TEUs annually, with North Berth adding 1.4 million TEUs, though the stub does not specify how this capacity compares to current throughput.
The players
Port of Virginia
The Port of Virginia is the state-owned entity that operates the commonwealth's deep-water maritime terminals, including Norfolk International Terminals.
Konecranes
Konecranes is a Finland-based manufacturer of cranes and lifting equipment used in ports and industrial facilities worldwide.
Sarah J. McCoy
Sarah J. McCoy is a public official associated with the Port of Virginia's North Berth modernization project.
The details
The cranes, manufactured by Finland-based Konecranes, were purchased in 2023, and a first set arrived in 2025. The North Berth project is on time and on budget, and new ship-to-shore cranes arrived in spring 2026.
Timeline
2023: Cranes purchased for the North Berth project.
2025: First set of rail-mounted gantry cranes arrived.
Spring 2026: New ship-to-shore cranes arrived.
November 9, 2026: Six rail-mounted gantry cranes arrived at Norfolk Harbor.
Spring 2027: North Berth project completion scheduled.
Roadmap
The arrival of rail-mounted gantry cranes extends the North Berth modernization that increases container throughput at Norfolk International Terminals. It positions the Port of Virginia to handle larger vessels as ocean carriers calling Virginia introduce bigger ships in the coming years.
Norfolk residents and businesses that rely on the port's container traffic may see increased capacity as North Berth comes online. The modernization is designed to boost productivity and stacking density at the terminal.
The takeaway
Investments in automated cranes and berth modernization are how major ports prepare for larger ships and higher container volumes. Watching the spring 2027 completion will show whether North Berth delivers the promised productivity gains.
What happens next
The North Berth modernization project is scheduled for completion in spring 2027.
Further reading
For more on regional freight and shipping, explore Transportation coverage in Norfolk.
