Major Jet Fuel Leak Contaminates James River Near Newport News Shipyard

Nearly 8,000 gallons of jet fuel leaked into the James River from a Newport News shipbuilding facility during a refueling operation on February 13. Multiple agencies are working to contain the spill and clean up the contamination affecting waters near the Delaware region.

A significant aviation fuel leak has contaminated the James River after thousands of gallons spilled from a major shipbuilding facility in Newport News, Virginia, just south of our region.

The environmental disaster unfolded on February 13, 2026, when JP-5 aviation fuel escaped during a refueling procedure for the future USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier at the Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding facility located on Washington Avenue.

What initially appeared to be a minor leak of around 50 gallons has proven far more serious. Detailed analysis and fuel tank inspections revealed that 7,749 gallons of jet fuel actually entered the waterway. Residents across Newport News and Hampton reported strong fuel odors and visible oil slicks on the water surface.

Emergency response teams from multiple agencies quickly mobilized, including the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, U.S. Coast Guard, and fire departments from both Newport News and Hampton.

Cleanup crews have deployed oil containment barriers and are using specialized boats and vacuum trucks to remove the spilled fuel from the water. Weather conditions with helpful wind patterns and tidal movements have aided in keeping the contamination from spreading further.

Coast Guard officials used drone technology to monitor the spill from above, confirming that response efforts are successfully containing most of the leaked fuel near the original spill location.

Pollution monitoring teams from Coast Guard Sector Virginia, working alongside boat crews from Coast Guard Station Portsmouth and unmanned aircraft operators, are tracking the contamination by land, air, and sea to respond quickly to any changes in conditions.

Health officials from the Virginia Department of Health are warning the public to stay away from waterfront areas where fuel smells are present or where oil sheens are visible on the water. Boat operators are also advised to avoid areas with visible contamination or fuel odors while cleanup operations continue.

The multi-agency response includes the U.S. Coast Guard, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department of Health, and officials from Hampton, Newport News, and Suffolk.

Investigators are still working to determine what caused the fuel transfer operation to fail, leading to this major environmental incident.