The United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced the allocation of $498 million to 35 projects under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). This grant amount is the lowest level of funding allocated since the inception of this program in the past five years and includes the latest advanced allocations from the $2.25 billion authorized in the bipartisan infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden on November 15, 2021.
Details of the Grants
The grants are made under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which was established by Congress in 2010 and is administered by the Maritime Administration. The goal of this program is to modernize U.S. ports and strengthen the supply chain, which helps reduce transportation time and costs. The United States has over 300 ports managed by states, counties, municipalities, and private companies that can apply for funding through this program annually.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Shawn P. Duffy stated, "The strength of our nation's economy is directly tied to the condition of our ports. This investment of nearly half a billion dollars will support critical upgrades at ports across America to strengthen supply chains, reduce transportation costs, and create good jobs."
Key Projects and Allocations
The largest grant this year has been awarded to Whittier, Alaska, which received over $50.5 million to replace the Delong dock with a new facility measuring 1,150 feet. Alaska has received a significant share of the total grants, with an additional $26 million allocated to the modernization program for the Port of Saint Herman. Anchorage has also received over $6.3 million for loading facilities.
Several other projects have each received $40 million in grants, including the Blount Island port reconstruction project in Jacksonville, Florida, and the expansion of the Kahului Harbor freight yard in Hawaii. Paducah, Kentucky, has also received grants for fixed barge facilities and other supporting infrastructure. The Port of Fort Lauderdale in Florida has also received over $30.7 million for the relocation and development of Slip 1 in liquid facilities.
Despite the importance of these grants, the total budget for the PIDP this year has decreased compared to recent years. In April, MARAD announced support for 37 projects totaling $774 million. The November 2024 awards were $580 million for 31 projects, while November 2023 allocated $653 million for 41 projects and October 2022 allocated $703 million for 41 projects.
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) emphasizes that PIDP funding will significantly decrease next year unless necessary action is taken by Congress. AAPA is calling for advanced allocations for PIDP to be included in the next surface transportation authorization so that U.S. ports can secure the funding needed to maintain the nation's supply chains.
Stephen M. Carmel, MARAD Administrator, emphasizes that these grants are part of the commitment to modernizing U.S. port and maritime infrastructure. MARAD reports that nearly $1.4 billion has been allocated for upgrading U.S. ports and marine highways and is working to expedite environmental reviews for deep-water ports and support innovation in small modular reactors to create new maritime technologies.
