Coal Terminals in the Port of Virginia: Difference between revisions

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To read more about this history, see [[History of Coal Transport in Hampton Roads]].
The Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals are located in Southeast Newport News. Pier 6 is located between the Norfolk neighborhoods of Lambert's Point and Ghent, with Lambert's Point typically being on the downwind side. Together, these terminals export more coal through the Port of Virginia than is exported anywhere else in the U.S. <ref>U.S. Energy Information Administration, [https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=VA Virginia: State Profile and Energy Estimates], 2025.</ref> This coal is largely metallurgical coal, also known as cooking coal, from Central Appalachia. It is transported to Southeast Newport News by [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#CSX|CSX]] and to Lambert's Point by [[Companies: railroads, terminals, and coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]].


== Railroad Companies in Hampton Roads ==
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="250px">
File:Satellite Map of Newport News, 2025..png|Satellite map (Google) of the Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:Google satellite map of the Dominion and Kinder Morgan terminals, 2025..png|Satellite map (Google) of the Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:Google satellite map of the Norfolk Southern terminal in Norfolk, 2025..png|Satellite map (Google) of the Norfolk Southern Terminal in Lambert's Point
</gallery>


=== CSX ===
== Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals and Dominion Terminal Associates ==
CSX Transportation ([[Companies: Railroads and Coal#CSX|CSX]]) is a Class I freight railroad company operating across the eastern U.S., especially in and out of West Virginia.<ref>CSX, [https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/customers/maps/csx-system-map/ CSX System Map], 2025</ref> The company was formed through a wave of railroad mergers, with its parent company, [[Companies: Railroads and Coal#CSX|CSX]] Corporation, now based in Jacksonville, Florida. [https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/about-us/company-overview/political-contributions/ CXS political contributions] are posted on their website as of 2025.  
Kinder Morgan operates Pier IX and X, which sit adjacent to the Dominion Terminal. Dominion Terminal is owned by Alpha Metallurgical Resources and Core Natural Resources and operated by Dominion Terminal Associates. Coal is offloaded and stored in large piles before being loaded onto ships for export. The Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals have the capacity to store 1.4 million tons coal and export up to 16 million tons annually<ref>Kinder Morgan, [[:File:Mid-Atlantic-Pier-IX-X.pdf|Pier IX and X Terminals]].</ref> and use a system of 44 sprinklers to spray water that suppresses dust emissions from the piles and transloading equipment.


[[Companies: Railroads and Coal#CSX|CSX]] is one part of a duopoly with [[Companies: Railroads and Coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]]. In 2018, [[Companies: Railroads and Coal#CSX|CSX]] attempted to press monopoly charges against [[Companies: Railroads and Coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]] based on their attempts to control the crucial Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad (NPBL), of which [[Companies: Railroads and Coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]] owns a slight majority.<ref>Wilner, [https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/for-competing-railroads-whats-new-is-old/ For Competing Railroads, What’s New Is Old], Railway Age, Commentary, March 11, 2025.</ref><ref>McCabe, [https://www.ttnews.com/articles/csx-sues-norfolk-southern-short-line-railroad-over-alleged-monopoly CSX Sues Norfolk Southern, Short-Line Railroad Over Alleged Monopoly], The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot, October 9, 2018.</ref>  
According to a 2014 report by the [https://www.sightline.org/research/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7CL-avqkoiwdfvIwOz_HNK8YKNI&gclid=Cj0KCQjwt8zABhDKARIsAHXuD7ZAE17OcOuiEGNErqT6e6wcY91Wm9DFLA5SOsVhwnBu5flmnQY0-94aAgGCEALw_wcB#subscribe Sightline Institute], Kinder Morgan's activities across North America include a record of pollution, bribery, labor violations and unsafe working conditions, fraud and theft, and pipeline failures resulting in deaths, felonies, and environmental damages.<ref>Sightline Institute, [[:File:Coal-Kinder-Morgan-April-12 final.pdf|The Facts about Kinder Morgan]], 2014.</ref>


=== Norfolk Southern ===
== Norfolk Southern ==
[[Companies: Railroads and Coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]] Corporation Corporation (abbreviated as [[Companies: Railroads and Coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]] or NS) is a Class I freight railroad operating in the eastern United States. It is one of the five biggest railroad operators in North America by revenue and one part of a duopoly with [[Companies: Railroads and Coal#CSX|CSX]]. Norfolk Southern operates in 22 states and Washington, D.C. Currently headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, [[Companies: Railroads and Coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]] was based in Norfolk, Virginia until 2021. Most of the company's revenue comes from the transportation of coal, coke, and iron ore. [[Companies: Railroads and Coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]] is connected to the Corporation Political Action Committee (PAC) Norfolk Southern Good Government Fund, which publishes their contributions bi-yearly as of 2025.<ref>Norfolk Southern, [https://www.norfolksouthern.com/en/commitments/in-your-community/government-relations/political-activity-and-contributions Political Activity and Contributions] </ref> <ref>https://www.norfolksouthern.com/en/commitments/in-your-community/government-relations/political-activity-and-contributions</ref>
Owned and operated by Norfolk Southern, Pier 6 in Lambert's Point was built in 1962 (predating the U.S. Clean Air Act by eight years), although coal has been exported here since 1885. Norfolk Southern's Pier 6 is the largest coal export facility in the U.S. Coal carrying rail cars are loaded directly onto ships, rather than being stored in large staging piles as in Newport News.  
== Coal Ships ==
Ships are typically in port in Newport News and Norfolk for 2–5 days (possibly longer) for loading. There are records that 2–4 days are required to load large ships (for iron ore), with a minimum of 24 hours,<ref>Professional Mariner Forum, [https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/loading-a-panamax-bulk-carrier/4321 Loading a Panamax Bulk Carrier], June 2010.</ref> and three days round-the-clock for large container ships.<ref>Easy Relocated, [https://easyrelocated.com/how-is-a-bulk-carrier-loaded/#How_long_does_it_take_to_load_a_bulk_carrier How Is a Bulk Carrier Loaded?] June 24, 2022.</ref>


== Coal Terminals ==
It is not clear if loading is always continuous, but we speculate that ships avoid sitting at port longer than needed. Ships do arrive and depart from both cities overnight. Ships may not be able to load under inclement weather, which at least for petcoke, a similar material to coal, includes very hot days.<ref>Bulk Carrier Guide, [https://bulkcarrierguide.com/petcoak-loading.html Grain, Iron Ores, Minerals, Coal Carrier, Self Unloaders & More], 2010.</ref>
The Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals and Dominion Terminal are located in Southeast Newport News. Pier 6 is located between the Norfolk neighborhoods of Lambert's Point and Ghent, with Lambert's Point typically on the downwind side. These terminals export more coal collectively through the Port of Virginia than anywhere else in the U.S.<ref>U.S. Energy Information Administration, [https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=VA Virginia: State Profile and Energy Estimates], 2025.</ref> The exported coal is largely metallurgical coal, also known as cooking coal, from Central Appalachia transported by [[Companies: Railroads and Coal#CSX|CSX]] in Southeast Newport News or [[Companies: Railroads and Coal#Norfolk Southern|Norfolk Southern]] in Lambert's Point.


=== Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals and Dominion Terminal Associates ===
Bulk carriers used for coal transport include: Handymax, Panamax, and Capesize.<ref>Martide, [https://www.martide.com/en/blog/all-about-bulk-carriers Everything You Need to Know About Bulk Carriers], August 20, 2024.</ref> Because coal is shipped in covered holds, coal dust emissions during ocean transport are assumed to be minimal.<ref>Public Health Advisory Panel on Coal in Oakland, [[:File:7 - Volume VII.pdf|An Assessment of the Health and Safety Implications of Coal Transport through Oakland]], June 14, 2016.</ref>
The CSX railroad carries coal down the Peninsula to two privately-owned coal terminals in Newport News. The Southeast Community coal terminals '''(Kinder Morgan’s Pier IX and X,''' and '''Dominion Terminal''') began operations in the 1880s and currently have two operators — Kinder Morgan and Dominion Terminal Associates. Kinder Morgan can ship about 16 million tons per year, and the Dominion Terminal (owned by '''Alpha Metallurgical Resources''' and '''Core Natural Resources)''' moves up to 22 million tons of coal each year.<ref>http://www.virginiaplaces.org/transportation/private.html</ref>
 
 
The company that runs Dominion Terminal, is owned in part (65%) by Alpha and Contura, two coal mining giants that merged in 2018, and 35% by Arch Coal Inc. The terminal is served by CSX Transportation.  [[File:SouthWings Map.jpg|thumb]]
 
=== Norfolk Southern ===
'''Pier 6 at Lamberts Point''', in operation since 1885, is the largest coal export facility in the U.S., and owned and operated by Norfolk Southern.
 
== Coal Companies ==
'''Core Natural Resources''' (previously Arch Resources, or Arch Coal) is the second-largest supplier of coal in the United States, with 11 active mines. In August 2024, Arch Resources and Consol Energy announced that they entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock merger of equals to create Core Natural Resources. source. In January 2025, the merger was successfully completed.<ref>https://corenaturalresources.com/products/</ref>
 
'''Alpha Metallurgical Resources''' (formerly known as Contura Energy) is a is a Tennessee-based mining company that extracts, processes, and markets steam and metallurgical coal. It operates across Central Appalachia.<ref>https://alphametresources.com/about/</ref>       
 
'''United Coal''' is a producer of coking coal located in the Central Appalachian region of the United States. United Coal owns several mines in West Virginia, including in Affinity, WV and East Gulf, WV. In 2009, Ukrainian business group Metinvest, controlled by Rinat Akhmetov (a Ukrainian billionaire and businessman), purchased the company for an estimated $1 billion<ref>https://minedocs.com/22/UCC-Metinvest-CP-12312019.pdf</ref>.


== Documents ==
== Documents ==


* CSX, CSX System Map, 2025
* [[:File:Printable System Map.pdf|CSX, CSX System Map, 2025]]
* [[:File:Coal-Kinder-Morgan-April-12 final.pdf|Sightline Institute, The Facts about Kinder Morgan, 2014]]
* [[:File:Mid-Atlantic-Pier-IX-X.pdf|Kinder Morgan, Pier IX and X Terminals]]
* [[:File:7 - Volume VII.pdf|Public Health Advisory Panel on Coal in Oakland, An Assessment of the Health and Safety Implications of Coal Transport through Oakland, June 14, 2016]]
* [[Repair Lab]] with Support from [https://www.southwings.org/ SouthWings], Southeast Newport News, 2023 Ariel Photographs
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200px">
File:NN terminal 1.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 2.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 3.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 4.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 5.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 6.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 7.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 8.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 9.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 10.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 11.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 12.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 13.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 14.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 15.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 16.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 17.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 18.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 21.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
File:NN terminal 20.JPG|Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
</gallery>
* [[Repair Lab]] with Support from [https://www.southwings.org/ SouthWings], Lambert's Point, 2023 Ariel Photographs
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200px">
File:LP terminal 1.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 2.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 3.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 4.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 5.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 6.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 7.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 8.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 9.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 10.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 11.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 12.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 13.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 14.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 15.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 16.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 17.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
File:LP terminal 18.JPG|Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
</gallery>


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 18:10, 7 July 2025

The Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals are located in Southeast Newport News. Pier 6 is located between the Norfolk neighborhoods of Lambert's Point and Ghent, with Lambert's Point typically being on the downwind side. Together, these terminals export more coal through the Port of Virginia than is exported anywhere else in the U.S. [1] This coal is largely metallurgical coal, also known as cooking coal, from Central Appalachia. It is transported to Southeast Newport News by CSX and to Lambert's Point by Norfolk Southern.

  • Satellite map (Google) of the Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Satellite map (Google) of the Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Satellite map (Google) of the Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Satellite map (Google) of the Dominion Terminal and Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Satellite map (Google) of the Norfolk Southern Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Satellite map (Google) of the Norfolk Southern Terminal in Lambert's Point

Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals and Dominion Terminal Associates

Kinder Morgan operates Pier IX and X, which sit adjacent to the Dominion Terminal. Dominion Terminal is owned by Alpha Metallurgical Resources and Core Natural Resources and operated by Dominion Terminal Associates. Coal is offloaded and stored in large piles before being loaded onto ships for export. The Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals have the capacity to store 1.4 million tons coal and export up to 16 million tons annually[2] and use a system of 44 sprinklers to spray water that suppresses dust emissions from the piles and transloading equipment.

According to a 2014 report by the Sightline Institute, Kinder Morgan's activities across North America include a record of pollution, bribery, labor violations and unsafe working conditions, fraud and theft, and pipeline failures resulting in deaths, felonies, and environmental damages.[3]

Norfolk Southern

Owned and operated by Norfolk Southern, Pier 6 in Lambert's Point was built in 1962 (predating the U.S. Clean Air Act by eight years), although coal has been exported here since 1885. Norfolk Southern's Pier 6 is the largest coal export facility in the U.S. Coal carrying rail cars are loaded directly onto ships, rather than being stored in large staging piles as in Newport News.

Coal Ships

Ships are typically in port in Newport News and Norfolk for 2–5 days (possibly longer) for loading. There are records that 2–4 days are required to load large ships (for iron ore), with a minimum of 24 hours,[4] and three days round-the-clock for large container ships.[5]

It is not clear if loading is always continuous, but we speculate that ships avoid sitting at port longer than needed. Ships do arrive and depart from both cities overnight. Ships may not be able to load under inclement weather, which at least for petcoke, a similar material to coal, includes very hot days.[6]

Bulk carriers used for coal transport include: Handymax, Panamax, and Capesize.[7] Because coal is shipped in covered holds, coal dust emissions during ocean transport are assumed to be minimal.[8]

Documents

  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
    Coal Export Terminals in Southeast Newport News
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
  • Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point
    Coal Export Terminal in Lambert's Point

References

  1. ↑ U.S. Energy Information Administration, Virginia: State Profile and Energy Estimates, 2025.
  2. ↑ Kinder Morgan, Pier IX and X Terminals.
  3. ↑ Sightline Institute, The Facts about Kinder Morgan, 2014.
  4. ↑ Professional Mariner Forum, Loading a Panamax Bulk Carrier, June 2010.
  5. ↑ Easy Relocated, How Is a Bulk Carrier Loaded? June 24, 2022.
  6. ↑ Bulk Carrier Guide, Grain, Iron Ores, Minerals, Coal Carrier, Self Unloaders & More, 2010.
  7. ↑ Martide, Everything You Need to Know About Bulk Carriers, August 20, 2024.
  8. ↑ Public Health Advisory Panel on Coal in Oakland, An Assessment of the Health and Safety Implications of Coal Transport through Oakland, June 14, 2016.
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