US to pump $450 million into port infrastructure development

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has published a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), making $450 million available for Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).

As explained, the investments made under the PIDP will focus on modernizing US coastal and inland waterway ports, as well as strengthening the supply chains and economic security.

The Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $450 million annually in funding for the program, from fiscal year 2022 until fiscal year 2026. The $450 million may be supplemented with additional program funds once the fiscal year 2024 annual appropriation is finalized, the officials noted.

“Ports are central to our supply chains, and when ports run smoothly, it helps keep prices down, shelves stocked, and American farms and businesses selling their goods around the world,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

“After helping our supply chains recover from pandemic disruptions, today President Biden is announcing $450 million to further strengthen our ports and keep shipping costs down, now and for generations of Americans.”

Specifiaclly, MARAD’s PIDP grants help eligible applicants complete critical port and port-related infrastructure projects in urban, rural and tribal communities.

Applicants include port authorities, state and local governments, indigenous tribal nations, counties, and other eligible public entities. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to support projects that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports.

“Projects selected to receive PIDP funding will support efforts by ports and industry stakeholders to modernize and expand port capacity to accelerate the movement of goods across the Nation,” said Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips. 

“PIDP is a powerful investment tool that is uniquely geared toward improving port and related freight infrastructure to meet the Nation’s freight transportation needs—while simultaneously ensuring our port infrastructure can support future growth, and enhance the safety, efficiency and reliability of the Nation’s ports.”

This program complements the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, which just made $3 billion available.

This program will fund zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure to reduce mobile source emissions at U.S. ports, which may include cargo handling equipment, harbor craft and vessels, electric charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure, and a number of other technology investments.