The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded nearly $39 million in grants to 12 marine highway projects across the country and U.S. territories under the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP).
MARAD said the funding will help expand marine highway services on navigable waterways to reduce congestion, alleviate supply chain bottlenecks, and move goods more quickly from ships to shelves.
“At a time of record demand for goods, it’s more important than ever to strengthen our supply chains so our manufacturers can grow and American families can get the things they need quickly and affordably,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Today’s announcement will help improve our marine highway system across the country, alleviating congestion, modernizing port operations, and ultimately lowering the cost of goods for American families.”
Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the AMHP this year received an additional $25 million in funding—the largest single investment in the program ever.
“America’s Marine Highway Program is an innovative program that encourages the use of America’s navigable waterways for the movement of freight and people, reducing congestion on land-based transportation,” said Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips. “The funding announced today advances our ongoing efforts to help new marine highway services begin operation and to improve existing services.”
Since its inception, the AMHP has designated 58 Marine Highway Projects bolstering jobs and local economies across the country. In this round of funding, 12 Marine Highway Grants were awarded to not only strengthen supply chains, but also our national security by adding to the Nation’s strategic sealift resources and providing transportation alternatives during times of disaster or national emergency.
All Marine Highway Grants award recipients must apply, comply with, and implement all requirements of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law “Buy America, Build America” provisions. Grant funds can be used to purchase low-emission U.S.-manufactured equipment, such as container reach stackers and cranes, as long as all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials are produced in the United States. Funds can also be used to purchase intermodal equipment—such as U.S.-manufactured container chassis—that can alleviate supply chain bottlenecks.
The AMHP also meets the commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which has made it a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.
The 12 grant recipients are listed below:
Arkansas
Helena Harbor M-55 Container on Barge Project (awarded $2,872,414)
West Helena/Phillips Count Port Authority. The America’s Marine Highway Grant funds will go towards purchasing equipment to operate the terminal and equip the bridge crane to handle containers. Investments will provide improved access to the terminal and equipment will provide efficient and effective material handling capabilities.
California & Washington
M-5 Coastal Connector (awarded $5,550,000)
San Diego Unified Port Authority District. The America’s Marine Highway Grant funds will go toward infrastructure upgrades at the Port of San Diego that will be deployed to handle cargo on the proposed service. The West Coast M-5 Coastal Connector service will use a barge to move building materials, including lumber, as well as containers and general cargo along a U.S. West Coast north/south route to strengthen supply chain resiliency and help address regional supply chain delays.
Guam
Guam Marine Transportation Enhancement Initiative (awarded $5,703,560)
Port Authority of Guam. The America’s Marine Highway Grant funds will go towards expanding the Port’s fleet of specialized container…
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