US PORTS TO GET $450M TO EASE PORT CONGESTION

The United States has announced what it calls a "historic" new funding to strengthen port infrastructure across the country and unclog congested ports through a US$450 million grant which is the government's "largest investment ever" for the ports.

The US Department of Transportation through its Maritime Administration (MARAD) said the newly available grant funding for port-related projects through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) can help ports expand capacity and improve the movement of goods through our supply chains.

The US DoT noted that this fund is nearly double last year's investment in PIDP for states and port authorities. Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, some US$17 billion will be invested in ports and waterways.  

"We're proud to announce this funding to help ports improve their infrastructure — to get goods moving more efficiently," said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, adding that this is "the largest ever" federal investment in modernizing [the] country's ports, and will improve the supply chains.

The statement noted that PIDP grants are awarded on a competitive basis to support projects that will improve the movement of goods to, through and around ports.

"The historic investments made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help remove bottlenecks by enabling ports to expand capacity and improve intermodal connections," said acting maritime administrator Lucinda Lessley.