Norfolk distribution center to create 200 jobs

A Massachusetts-based logistics services company plans to build a distribution and fulfillment center in Norfolk expected to produce 200 jobs, RoadOne IntermodaLogistics announced Tuesday.

The company did not disclose the cost of the 340,000-square-foot facility, which will be six miles from the Port of Virginia’s terminals.

It’s the fourth new transload facility RoadOne has added in the past 14 months. The building is set to be completed by August and will have 80 dock doors for loading and unloading trucks and 800 trailer parking spots.

RoadOne plans to work with the port to implement sustainable green transportation with electric drayage trucks, which will travel between the port and the new facility, as well as electric yard jockeys for repositioning containers, according to a news release from the company announcing the new facility.

“This facility is well-situated to serve the increased flow of containerized imports to the U.S. East Coast. Being the closest tier-one facility to the Port of Virginia, this new facility offers an ideal location to support the transloading of ocean containers to free up container equipment and helps customers fend off container fees, such as detention and demurrage,” according to a news release.

“RoadOne’s strategic decision to build a distribution and fulfillment center in Norfolk holds real value for the company and the Port of Virginia,” Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, said in a statement. “For the port, having RoadOne just a short distance from our terminals gives us much needed transload capacity and a [third-party logistics company] with a national reputation in our market. RoadOne will be able to help its customers capitalize on the efficiency, growth and global reach of our port. We are excited about the opportunities to come having RoadOne as a neighbor and partner, and are looking forward to a very productive, long-lasting relationship.”

RoadOne has more than 2,000 trucks in 71 locations in North America and access to more than 75 million square feet of warehousing, distribution and transloading space, the company says.