The US Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced over US$653 million to fund 41 port improvement projects across the country under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).

MARAD said the funding will help grow capacity and increase efficiency at coastal seaports, Great Lakes ports, and inland river ports.

A significant portion of domestic and international US commerce by weight (over 2.3 billion short tons) moves by water.

"The port improvement projects announced will strengthen supply chain reliability, create workforce development opportunities, speed up the movement of goods, and improve the safety, reliability and resilience of ports," the announcement said.

It noted that these investments are part of the "largest" dedicated funding for ports and waterways in history — nearly US$17 billion through the Infrastructure Law.

"Everything from the food we eat to the cars we drive to the lumber and steel used to build our homes passes through America's ports, making them some of the most critical links in our nation's supply chain," said Pete Buttigieg, secretary of the US Transportation department. "These investments will help expand capacity and speed up the movement of goods through our ports."

The awards announced include more than US$172.8 million for 26 small ports to continue to improve and expand their capacity to move freight.

"Modernizing the nation's port infrastructure is vital to the reinforcement of America’s multimodal system for transporting goods. The advantages of cargo movement on water extend well beyond the maritime domain," said Ann Phillips, Maritime Administrator.

Part of the grant will be funding for the North Harbor Transportation System Improvement Project in Long Beach, the reconstruction of Berth PN-308 at Port Newark, the Port of Ogdensburg Terminal Expansion Project in Ogdensburg, New York, Wabasha Barge Terminal Project in Minnesota, the North Gate Relocation and Access Optimization in Wilmington, North Carolina, the Port of Tacoma Husky Terminal Expansion Port One, and the Velasco Terminal Sustainable Expansion Project in Freeport, Texas.