The shipping platform

Location: Hampton Roads district is on the eastern seaboard of the USA. The entrance is between Cape Henry and Cape Charles. General overview: The port of Greater Hampton Roads is a large natural harbour formed by the confluence of the James, Nansemond, and Elizabeth Rivers. It has an area of 35nm² and forms the approach to the deep water ports of Norfolk, Newport News, Portsmouth and Chesapeake. Part of the port area is operated by the Port of Virginia which runs several container terminals and the Virginia Inland Port, a multimodal port of entry and distribution centre. The Port of Richmond is on the James River, 78nm above Newport News. It is a large bulk cargo harbour, handling coal, petroleum products, grain, fertiliser, tobacco, sand, gravel and general cargoes. Traffic figures: Approx 30,780,000t of cargo including 1,920,000TEU and 1,500 vessels handled annually. Load line zone: Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31. Max size: Largest vessel handled: "Regina Maersk", LOA 318m, draught 14.5m, 81,488GT. Port of Richmond: LOA 170m, beam 26m, draught 6.7m.