Norfolk is the prime location for businesses in the Maritime, Transportation, and Logistics industry. Given Norfolk is home to the Port of Virginia, the deepest harbor on the East Coast, there is a heavy concentration of businesses involved in freight transportation arrangement, marine cargo handling, logistics consulting services, port and harbor operations, coastal and deep-sea freight transportation, supply chain management, and warehousing and storage. Due to the high level of activity occurring at the Port, which handled 2.7 million TEUs in 2017[1]and is in the process of expanding two of its container terminals1, along with the increase in international trade and consumer spending, there is an increased need for businesses and companies in this industry. Local universities have responded to the demand for workers in this industry by developing educational programs that produce graduates with skills and expertise in transportation and logistics.

Competitive Advantages:

Location:

  • Norfolk is within a two-days’ drive of 75% of the U.S. population[2]
  • Only 2.5 hours to open sea[3]
  • Access to Interstate routes I-85 and I-95 via I-264 and I-64
  • Home to Norfolk International Airport
  • Located in a Foreign Trade Zone
  • CSX and Norfolk Southern provide intermodal rail services via the Port of Virginia to and from 19 inland locations2

Research Centers:

  • ODU’s International Maritime (Port and Logistics) Institute provides education, training, and research to meet the needs of the region[4]
  • Tidewater Community College’s Southeast Maritime and Transportation (SMART) Center develops a skilled workforce for the maritime and transportation industries[5]

Educational Programs:

  • Old Dominion University, located in Norfolk, VA, offers the following related educational programs:
    • Bachelor’s and Master’s in Maritime and Supply Chain Management
    • Graduate Certificate in Maritime, Ports, and Logistics Management

[1]Source: The Port of Virginia, “Port Sets Record in FY2017 Having handled 2.7 Million TEUs” http://www.portofvirginia.com/port-sets-record-fy2017-handled-2-7-million-teus/
[2]Source: The Port of Virginia “Global Reach: Fast Facts”, http://www.portofvirginia.com/pdfs/fastfacts/PORT-001-FastFacts-GlobalReach.pdf
[3]Source: The Port of Virginia “Fast Facts”, http://www.portofvirginia.com/about/fast-facts/
[4]Source: Old Dominion University, Strome College of Business International Maritime (Port and logistics) Institute, https://www.odu.edu/business/center/port
[5]Source: Southeast Maritime and Transportation Center, https://www.maritime-technology.org/about/

Maritime, Transportation, & Logistics

  • Total Jobs in Norfolk (2021): 6,512
  • Weighted Average Earnings per Job in Norfolk: $75,452
  • Payrolled Business Locations in Norfolk (2021): 142
NAICSDescription2021 Jobs (Norfolk)Avg. Earnings Per Job (Norfolk)2021 Payrolled Business Locations (Norfolk)
4883Support Activities for Water Transp.1,593$94,045 16
4885Freight Transportation Arrangement1,434$92,029 31
4831Deep Sea, Coastal, & Great Lakes Water Transp.973$246,994 6
4841General Freight Trucking557$74,250 40
4931Warehousing & Storage522$56,425 15
4881Support Activities for Air Transp.509$52,902 14
4811Scheduled Air Transp.488$53,569 7
4821Rail Transp.392$109,017 0
N/AOther601$64,972 34
N/ATotal7,070$102,962 161

Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (Emsi)

Key Employers in the Maritime, Transportation, and Logistics Industry in Norfolk

  • CMA CGM America
  • Kuehne & Nagel, Inc.
  • Cooper T. Smith Stevedoring
  • Livingston International, Inc.
  • CP&O LLC
  • Maersk Line, Limited, USA
  • CV International, Inc.
  • T. Parker Host, Inc.
  • Expeditors International Inc.
  • Zim American Integrated Shipping

Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (Emsi)