NORFOLK (AP) -- The Virginia Port Authority board has unanimously voted to reorganize the agency and cut staffing.

Tuesday's decision includes offering early retirement buyouts in an attempt to reduce the agency's 157-person staff by 7 percent, adding three new deputy executive directors and consolidating marketing and sales departments with Virginia International Terminals Incorporated.

The port authority is a state agency that owns Norfolk International Terminals, the Portsmouth Marine Terminal, the Newport News Marine Terminal and the Virginia Inland Port in Front Royal. Virginia International Terminals operates the facilities.

Employees can begin signing up for the early retirement deals Wednesday through November 14.

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