Carlyle Group drops bid for Virginia port operations

The Carlyle Group has told state officials it is no longer interested in pursuing a long-term lease of the Virginia Port Authority's terminals, Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton confirmed today.

The withdrawal of Carlyle leaves three groups still in the running to operate the port - APM Terminals Inc., RREEF America LLC and Virginia International Terminals Inc., or VIT, the current operator.

Connaughton's announcement regarding Carlyle came in response to a question from Del. Jimmie Massie, R-Henrico, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, during a crowded meeting of the committee Monday morning that included a status update on the review of the proposals submitted to run the Port of Virginia.

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