$774 million will be allocated to U.S. ports for operational improvement projects

The United States Department of Transportation has announced the allocation of $774 million in grants aimed at strengthening the nation’s ports infrastructure. Alaska, Texas, and Florida will be the largest beneficiaries in terms of funding, with approximately $268.5 million distributed among the three.

During the announcement, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the strategic importance of ports to the national economy. He emphasized that these logistics hubs are essential for keeping supply chains stocked, ensuring energy resilience, and maintaining the competitiveness of export markets. He also noted that investing in port infrastructure directly contributes to job creation, economic growth, and national security.

The funds will be distributed through the Port Infrastructure Development Program, managed by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), with the goal of modernizing facilities and improving logistical efficiency across the country. In total, 37 projects will be funded, covering coastal seaports, Great Lakes facilities, and inland river ports.

Among the states receiving the largest allocations are Alaska with $115.4 million; Texas with $97.7 million; Florida with $55.4 million; Georgia with $53 million; and Louisiana with $43.3 million.

Strengthening ports operational efficiency

One of the most notable projects is at the Port MacKenzie in Alaska, which will receive $34 million for a multimodal expansion. The initiative includes the construction of a 110-acre cargo storage area, a new warehouse, completion of rail infrastructure, and improvements in security, communications, and heavy-lift capacity.

In Florida, Port Canaveral will rehabilitate the bulkhead of two cargo berths, while in Minnesota, the Port of Red Wing will expand its infrastructure with new dock extensions.

Meanwhile, Georgia will allocate its funds to the Garden City Terminal Parking and Supply Chain Optimization Project, a key initiative to increase operational efficiency at one of the country’s major maritime logistics hubs.

In addition, MARAD will provide grants for the following projects:

• $39.6 million for Phase 2 of the Tradepoint Atlantic TiL terminal project in Baltimore to expand a container yard and increase cargo volume.
• $27.4 million to expand a multimodal terminal and reconstruct a dock wall in Duluth, Minnesota, redeveloping 7.5 acres of cargo storage space.
• $27.3 million for port redevelopment in West Quincy, Missouri.
• $20 million for a Midwest multimodal development project in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to build a facility for grain transportation.
• $19.6 million for a cement and supplementary cementitious materials distribution terminal and compressed natural gas station at the Port of Memphis.
• $16.3 million for the Portsmouth agricultural export intermodal facility.
• $11.2 million for improvements to the Holland intermodal port in Michigan.
• $11.2 million for port readiness improvements in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
• $11.2 million to expand economic capacity and production along the Illinois River.

Overall, these investments aim to strengthen port operational efficiency, optimize multimodal transportation, and improve logistics connections, including truck access and new cargo storage areas.