VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The Port of Virginia will feel the effects of the ongoing trade policy changes, but likely not to the same extent of others, according to the port’s executive director.
In front of packed room at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, Stephen Edwards, who is also the Port of Virginia’s CEO, addressed what he called the “ultra-large container ship in the room: uncertainty.”
While the first five months of 2025 have been “strong,” changes are likely on the horizon.
On April 9, Trump announced total tariff’s on most Chinese imports would be 145%. Seattle’s port had started to see the effects this week with a drop in container traffic, and in some cases, container ships altogether.
Edwards said he doesn’t expect the Port of Virginia to face a similar reality as trade with China only makes up 19% of their overall cargo.
“Uncertainty makes companies pause, reconsider supply and yes, that has ripple effects on us at the Port of Virginia,” Edwards said. “Today, we’re in the fortunate position of being the least exposed major U.S. port on trade with China and maintaining a diverse mix of international trading partners that support a strong, steady book of business.”
The port’s largest trade partners are the European Union, China, India and Vietnam according to Edwards.
But still, he expects cargo rates to drop off if nothing changes.
“So March is OK. April is OK. May towards the back end of May will be the first ships that are arriving at port which will have China tariffs cargo,” Edwards said. “They will have less cargo, so there will be less cargo arriving at the end of May. But it won’t be the steep drop off that you’re seeing on the West Coast.”
The port directly employs 480 people, but supports 570,000 jobs throughout Virginia, according to Edwards.
The number of longshoremen working each day at the port is directly related to the cargo volumes, according to Joe Harris, a spokesperson for the port, as are truckers, railroad workers and more.
Edwards was not prepared to predict what could happen if the tariffs are long-term.
“Our job is to make sure that we get world-class service so that the importers and exporters know that they’ve got certainty of service,” Edwards said, “and we will not compromise our service levels, and we will not compromise our investments.”