$450 million available to bolster coastal, inland ports

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has opened a $450 million notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for projects that bolster the safety, efficiency or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports.

The competitive grants are administered MARAD’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which focuses on upgrading coastal and inland ports across the United States. Funds come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides $450 million annually, from fiscal year 2022 through fiscal year 2026, for the program.

Eligible applicants include port authorities, state and local governments, Indigenous Tribal nations, counties and other public entities. Projects must be related to port infrastructure, the department said. The deadline to apply is May 10, 2024.

For fiscal year 2023, the PIDP awarded $653 million to 41 projects nationwide, including dock replacement in Alaska, offshore wind manufacturing in Maryland, and transportation system improvements in Long Beach, California.

The community of Cold Bay in Alaska received $43 million to replace crumbling dock infrastructure nearing the end of its service life. The PIDP funding supported the design, permitting, and construction of a new dock. The dock’s upgrades will allow it to be used for commercial use, freight and fuel transportation, and private vessel use. The upgrades will also make it available for public use, such as emergency medical services and public transportation through the Alaska Marine Highway System.

In Long Beach, California, $52.6 million went to the North Harbor Transportation System Improvement Project. The project will enhance the existing transportation system by adding a third track to the Dominguez Channel Bridge and relocating and upgrading Pier B Street. Funding also includes improvements to on-dock roadways and associated utilities.

Maryland’s Baltimore County Offshore Wind Manufacturing Hub received $47 million to support improvements for accommodating heavy project cargoes near the Port of Baltimore. The project includes building a roll-on/roll-off pad, a crane pad, ground improvements, geotechnical work and steel structures to support components used in offshore wind projects. Additionally, the project involves site remediation and environmental mitigation activities.

MARAD’s program will complement the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, which will distribute $3 billion in funding for zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure to reduce mobile source emissions at U.S. ports. This includes cargo-handling equipment, harbor craft and vessels, electric charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure and other technology investments.

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