Virginia sets a deep draught record for a container vessel

“No other port on this coast can even consider handling a ship that needs 48.5 feet of water to operate,” said Jerry Bridges, executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA). “Virginia has the deepest water on the coast and we have proved (that) Virginia can handle the biggest ships afloat.”

For decades, Virginia’s 50-foot-deep (I5.24 m) shipping channels have accommodated heavily laden coal-colliers, but the recent sailing of the MSC Roma marked the deepest draught ever needed for a containership.

“This was a significant test that we passed nicely,” said Bridges.