Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - Norfolk, VA

The Virginia Port Authority and Norfolk Tug Company, along with a coalition of public and private supporters will launch a new container-on-barge service between Norfolk and Richmond, Virginia.  The 64 Express will operate on its maiden voyage December 1^st, 2008.  This will be a regular weekly service that can operate more frequently as customer needs dictate.   

The project was made possible by the concerted efforts of a team of public and private interests including the Richmond Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Maritime Administration, the Virginia Port Authority, Port of Richmond, Virginia DOT, Federal Highway Administration, and the private sector.    The team’s vision is to provide an economically feasible service that accomplishes several key objectives. Firstly we hope to provide an alternate avenue to/from Hampton Roads and the central part of Virginia.  In that effort we want to reduce highway, bridge & tunnel congestion and lessen the environmental impact created by trucks in Hampton Roads and along the I-64 corridor that results from that congestion.    

In its first year, the service is anticipated to shift a material volume of trucks from the Hampton Boulevard area in Norfolk and Interstate-64 to Richmond, both are well known for congestion and gridlock.  By its third year of operation, this service could reduce the volume of truck trips along this important corridor by 58,000.   

Mitigating Road Construction Cutbacks:  This service comes at an important time in our nation’s history.  Funding is tight and we struggle as a country with an increasingly aged and and therefore demanding infrastructure.  For example, a 25 mile segment of Interstate-64 scheduled for a $400-million widening project was tabled indefinitely this fall - even though traffic demands in this corridor continue to grow.  Arrival of the 64 Express on the James River “Marine Highway,” comes just in time to allow a mode shift from truck to barge and that shift will help offset the increased traffic and lessen the importance of the deferred funding for the roads widening.   

Environmental Responsibility:  The tugboats used in the operation of the barge service burn ultra low sulfur fuel in IMO compliant extremely efficient and environmentally friendly state of art Caterpillar equipment.  In addition to reducing congestion on the roads, by the third year, this service will reduce hydrocarbons and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions by more than 70 tons each day – emissions that combine to produce ground level ozone, which is linked to increased hospital admissions for respiratory problems such as asthma, even at relatively low levels.  Ground level ozone is the “trigger” for violations of the regional air quality standards established for the region by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

For information and bookings please contact Steve McGowan at Norfolk Tug Company at 757 545 1981 or email at smcgowan@norfolktug.com