The most important ports for shipping containers transportation in West Virginia
The Port of Huntington Tri-State is West Virginia's central hub for shipping containers and the second-largest inland port in the U.S. by cargo volume. Another key facility is the Port of West Virginia, which facilitates the transport of various goods.
The main transportation hubs in the state include inland river ports and intermodal terminals along the Ohio River. Notable examples are the Port of Huntington, the West Virginia Port in Follansbee, and the Heartland Intermodal Gateway. These facilities support the movement of cargo by barge, rail and truck.
Major Ports and Facilities for container transportation in West Virginia
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Port of Huntington Tri-State: Located in the heart of the country, this port is one of the biggest inland ports in the United States. It plays an important role in shipping and transporting goods, moving more than 58 million tons of cargo each year as of 2011. That’s a huge amount of freight, helping to keep various businesses and industries supplied with what they need.
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Port of West Virginia (Follansbee): This facility is situated along the Ohio River and provides a range of logistics services. These include storage options with warehouses and tanks, the ability to transfer goods between different transport methods, and over 20,000 feet of railway access for shipping both within the country and internationally.
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Heartland Intermodal Gateway: The West Virginia Department of Transportation has set up an important facility to connect highways, train tracks, and waterways. This makes it easier for people and goods to move around the state.
- Point Pleasant Rail Terminal & Warehouse Facility: Offers expert services for managing and storing goods safely and efficiently.
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Bridgeport Terminal (Twin Eagle): This facility is primarily dedicated to managing energy resources in the Marcellus Basin. It has ample space for storing train cars—about 130—and offers services to handle various materials efficiently.
These facilities mainly help local industries by transporting important goods like coal, machinery and plastic materials.
Central Appalachian Inland Port At Prichard in West Virginia
Formerly the Heartland Intermodal Gateway, this inland port transfers containers between rail and trucks. It is served by Norfolk Southern Railways and connects to major East Coast ports, including the Port of Norfolk.
These facilities enable container movement along West Virginia's navigable waterways, including the Ohio, Kanawha and Monongahela Rivers.
Intermodal transport in West Virginia
Intermodal transport in West Virginia utilizes railroads, rivers, and highways to move goods like coal and chemicals. Key hubs include the Port of West Virginia on the Ohio River, with Norfolk Southern as a major freight rail carrier.
Key Examples of Intermodal Transport in West Virginia
Key examples include the Port of West Virginia in Follansbee, coal transport via rail-to-barge, and specialized services from companies like Orbital Transport.
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Port of West Virginia (Follansbee): There is an important transportation center located on the Ohio River, at Mile Marker 70, that brings together three modes of transport: barges, trains, and trucks. This facility allows for the easy transfer of various types of cargo, including large and loose goods, between these different transport methods. It works with Norfolk Southern Railway and Empire River Rail to move freight and plans to improve access for trains with a new bridge.
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Ohio River Barge and Rail System: Inland rivers and railroads are often used to move large quantities of materials, such as coal. This method is useful because it helps keep cars off the roads, making travel easier for everyone.
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Orbital Transport Container Services: A regional company specializes in transporting shipping containers using special trucks and trailers that can load themselves. These vehicles are designed to handle heavy containers, weighing up to 72,000 pounds, making it easier and more efficient to move goods across different modes of transport.
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Coal Industry Logistics: Coal has always been transported by train from mines to river docks, where it's then loaded onto barges for further transport. This process is a key example of how different transportation methods work together in this area.
Many transportation systems use specialized drayage trucks to pick up or drop off shipping containers at locations such as rail yards or ports. These trucks play a very important role in transporting goods between locations.
