06-05-2025
Portsmouth to become ‘international hub' for shipping of agriculture products, mayor says
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — As part of his State of the City address Friday, Mayor Shannon Glover announced the waterfront could soon be known as 'an international hub for the shipment of grains, soybeans and livestock feed to cities all over the world.'
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Later this month, The DeLong Company of Wisconsin will break ground on a new Agricultural Intermodal Export Facility at the CSX yard that formally served the Portsmouth Marine Terminal.
Less than a mile away in Port Norfolk, Canadian-based Ray-Mont Logistics plans to do just the same at the Norfolk Portsmouth Beltline Railroad.
While both are seeking grants to offset their investments, Glover said the new industry for the city can only be beneficial.
'It puts us on the map for something different,' Glover said. 'In addition to that, it's business. It brings business, which brings tax revenue, which does good things for the city of Portsmouth. So anytime we can bring a new business and a new concept, perhaps, that may attract other similar businesses that may want to come to Portsmouth as well.'
A view of what The DeLong Company plans to construct off Harper Lane in Portsmouth Virginia. (Courtesy: The DeLong Co.)
The DeLong facility will have the capability to receive unit trains and transload product into containers for export, according to a release from the company.
When operational, whole grains and feedstuffs produced and processed locally and throughout the Midwest will be brought to the CSX yard by train and trucks. The product will then be transloaded into shipping export containers and trucked to the Port of Virginia.
The facility is expected to handle 15,000-20,000 containers annually and help cut down on empty containers being placed on ships.
'This project represents a major step in strengthening the economic, agricultural and logistical landscape of Virginia and the greater East Coast to Midwest regions,' said Brandon Bickham, vice president of exports at The DeLong Co. said. 'We have been collaborating on this project with the Port of Virginia and CSX Railroad, and we are excited to bring this project to Portsmouth. The new facility will not only open new markets to agricultural producers, but also contribute to the area's long-term growth and success.'
The project will be the first transload facility on the East Coast that can handle 90 car shuttle trains carrying renewable energy feed by-products, according to a presentation to the Portsmouth Port & Industrial Commission in March.
Two 70-foot diameter concrete bins will be constructed, along with optimized rail loading equipment. In total, it's estimated that the two phase project could cost nearly $40 million.
DeLong has applied for a $750,000 Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation rail industrial access grant and will apply to the Port Infrastructure Development Program for funds as well.
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