US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration to award millions for port improvement projects

$580 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund 31 port improvement projects in 15 states and one U.S. territory.

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As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Department of Transportation announced an invest of nearly $580 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund 31 port improvement projects in 15 states and one U.S. territory. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).

The improvement projects are said to “strengthen supply chain reliability, create workforce development opportunities, enhance freight efficiency, lower costs, reduce emissions, and improve the safety, reliability, and resilience of our coastal seaports, Great Lakes ports, and inland river ports,” according to a press release.

“Pacific Environment applauds the DOT Maritime Administration’s announcement today of $580 million in awards for port improvement projects under its Port Infrastructure Development Program,” Antonio Santos, Federal Climate Policy director at Pacific Environment, said. “Achieving a zero-emission maritime sector is critical for protecting the health of port workers and people living in communities near our nation’s ports.”

The Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) received $2.25 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to “improve port infrastructure to meet the nation’s freight transportation needs,” according to a press release. The program also provides planning support, capital funding, and project management assistance to ports in both urban and rural areas to help improve efficiency and capacity.

“In particular, we are excited to see MARAD fund projects that prioritize investments to reduce harmful pollution at ports, such as the $53 million project at Port Everglades that includes the purchase of zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment and the retiring of older, diesel-powered equipment,” Santos said. “Through federal programs like PIDP, the U.S. needs to continue to invest in port projects that can contribute to the transition away from the use of fossil fuels to zero-emission solutions.

Other projects awarded grants in this latest round of funding includes $11.2 million to the Ports of Indiana, $11.2 million to Rhode Island’s Port of Davisville, two grants were allocated for projects in Illinois and an $8 million grant was allocated to Crescent City in California to name a few.

“We encourage MARAD to fund more projects that are good for the environment, climate and health of portside communities, while ensuring safe, efficient and reliable port operations and goods movement,” Fern Uennatornwaranggoon, Climate Campaign Ports director at Pacific Environment, said.

To learn more about the zero-emissions shipping campaign led by an alliance of environmental organizations, including Pacific Environment, STAND.earth, and Sort Your Ship Out, click here.

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