Marad awards $220 million in grants for US ports ‘to improve facilities’

The US Department of Transportation has announced more than $220 million in discretionary grant funding to improve port facilities in 16 states and territories through the Maritime Administration’s (Marad) Port Infrastructure Development Programme.

US Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao said: “This $220 million in federal grants will improve America’s ports with nearly half the projects are located in Opportunity Zones, which were established to revitalise economically distressed communities.”

The Port Infrastructure Development Programme provides planning, operational and capital financing, and project management assistance to improve port capacity and efficiency.

Of the 18 projects that were awarded grants, eight are located in opportunity zones.

By providing the funding to support the improvement of this critical infrastructure component, MARAD and the Department of Transportation said they are ensuring these services will succeed during the nation’s ongoing economic recovery.

For more information visit www.maritime.dot.gov

19th October 2020