New cold storage facility to be built in Suffolk, Virginia

Karis Cold, FreezPak, Saoud Development, and L&B Realty Advisors have jointly announced a new cold storage development in Suffolk, VA. The near-port industrial site will be 245,400 SF temperature-controlled warehouse and is set to break ground this month. The operating company of Saoud Development, FreezPak Logistics, has committed to a long-term lease and is set to occupy the site in Q1 2025

FreezPak Logistics, a 4PL, is actively expanding its portfolio, currently overseeing the construction of over 58 million cubic feet of storage space in 2024. The Suffolk, VA location will feature 35 loading docks, 60 trailer parking stalls, 90 container plug-ins, and 62 car parking spaces. This facility will stand at a towering height of 75 feet, housing 49,512 pallet positions within a 191,909-square-foot freezer space and an additional 38,567 square feet of cooler dock. They will also build solar array and a hydrogen fueling station for fork trucks, over the road trucks and yard switchers. FreezPak has dedicated itself to a greener approach by implementing initiatives by using Hydrogen and solar panels, which will serve as a power source for the facility, aligning with its commitment to reduce its environmental footprint.

The site will offer various services such as blast freezing, cross-docking, LTL and FTL transportation, repacking, overseas container plug-ins, E-commerce, and USDA/FDA inspections. Strategically situated just 14 miles from the Norfolk Terminals, the FreezPak Suffolk, VA location ensures immediate access to major transportation routes including I95, I-164, I664, I64, I264, US58, and US-460. This marks a pivotal moment for the company, enabling them to broaden their network and better cater to their customer base.

“We are excited to develop another port centric facility. FreezPak’s mission is providing exceptional customer service and creating long lasting client partnerships,” says David Saoud, Co-Founder/CEO. “We look forward to expanding our service offerings to our valued clientele at the Norfolk Port.
 
“Our team continues to work hard on expanding our service offerings. Our proven track record is driving the development of facilities all over the country. Our company has shifted its focus towards buying land, entitling it, and constructing a world-class facility.” says Michael Saoud, Co-Founder/CEO.

In 2024, FreezPak is developing and will be operating 390,683 frozen pallet positions across its 134,469,000 million cubic foot network. Over the past 24 years, FreezPak has been instrumental in designing, operating, and developing cutting-edge, temperature-controlled facilities. Moreover, the company plans to unveil additional sites within the year.

Jake Finley, CEO of Karis, shared “We have loved the Port of Virgina since our first visit back in 2021 – we planned a great speculative project and in the process were fortunate enough to meet the FreezPak team. This is an exciting project to combine our fantastic port-location with a top operating partner and cold storage provider. Many thanks to the team at the Port of Virgina for all their support.”

“Karis Cold and FreezPak are national players with long track records of success in the cold storage arena and having them here will be a welcome asset to the port community,” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “Development of nearly a quarter of a million square feet of cold storage capacity in our market is important for a couple of reasons. It will help The Port of Virginia expand its cold and refrigerated cargo business and it is another signal to the industry that there is real value in developing in and around this port, which is America’s most modern gateway. We’re looking forward to working with both companies to ensure success.”