Mary Scott NabersAmerica’s ports are responsible for approximately $2.9 trillion in GDP annually. They provide jobs for 21.8 million Americans and move more than 40% of the country’s goods. To say that the maritime industry is a critical component of America’s global competitive status is an understatement. Given the vital role ports play in sustaining economic stability and competitiveness, it is no wonder that we continue to see significant investments in infrastructure, ensuring their ongoing efficiency and expanding capacity.
Officials at the Port of Oakland will soon initiate a $66 million infrastructure project to address aging facilities. The objective is to enable the port to accommodate ultra-large container vessels, a crucial step to maintaining its competitiveness and supporting regional economic vitality. Without correcting the current operational inefficiencies and modernizing the port’s structural foundation, there is an immediate risk of losing shipping business to other West Coast ports.
The project will be designed to upgrade many of the port’s berths, repair uneven crane rails, strengthen inadequate girder supports, and replace an outdated electrical bus bar system. Plans call for the replacement of 2,382 feet of crane rails and installation of a modern trench system for safe and efficient power distribution. It will also include strengthening wharf infrastructure by adding 373 new piles and reinforced girders capable of providing seismic resilience. Approximately 25,580 square yards of terminal space will be repaved to support increased cargo handling efficiency, and several systems will be replaced. Funding to bring the port up to standards was secured late in 2024. Contracting solicitations are planned for mid-year 2026.
The Garden City Terminal in Savannah, Georgia, currently operates on external power sources resulting in continual risk of operational disruptions during natural disasters and grid failures. A self-contained power system to maintain operational continuity and safeguard temperature-sensitive cargo is needed to ensure the safe transfer of food and medicine. To modernize the port and address these vulnerabilities, officials at the Georgia Ports Authority will oversee a $138 million project to upgrade the terminal’s energy independence and operational reliability.
The project will establish an on-terminal electrical system supplied by port-owned substations to eliminate dependence on external power grids. Other project components include the installation of additional power feeds and backup generators to protect against power outages. Existing overhead power lines will be replaced with underground cables to increase protection against environmental hazards and a new substation will be constructed to increase power capacity and support the terminal’s transition to electric-powered yard equipment. There has been no date announced yet as to when contracting solicitations will be released for the project.
The Turning Basin Terminal in Houston also suffers from outdated infrastructure that challenges its efficiency, particularly in the handling of agricultural exports. The current grain elevator capacity is limited to approximately 700,000 tons per year, restricting the port’s ability to meet growing export demands. This limitation impacts the local economy because it reduces access to global markets for regional farmers. Heavy reliance on trucks for grain loading contributes to significant emissions and inadequate stormwater management infrastructure creates flood risks for the surrounding community during weather events.
To address these challenges, a $25 million project will be launched to deliver the first of several critical upgrades. Under this project the grain elevator will be expanded to increase throughput capacity from 700,000 tons per year to 2.1 million tons per year. A new grain truck receiving system and outbound conveyor system will also be implemented with the capability of loading a 30,000-ton vessel while reducing loading times by 75%. These enhancements will eliminate the need for heavy-duty trucks in the loading process. This first phase of stormwater drainage improvements will enhance capacity for both the port and surrounding community, mitigating flood risks and supporting long-term resilience. Funding for this effort was secured in November 2024, but no specific timelines have been announced for solicitation releases.
A $200 million project is scheduled for the International Falls Land Port of Entry in Minnesota. Built in 1993, the facility covers 1.6 acres and serves as the busiest border crossing in Minnesota. However, the outdated layout causes traffic delays and limits operational efficiency. The planned modernization will expand the port to 20 acres and include new infrastructure capable of handling increasing traffic, improving security, and streamlining inspections. When the project is completed, the facility will support operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The project will add a new main administration building and provide enhancements for the commercial and non-commercial inspection facilities. Non-commercial inspection areas will be upgraded to deliver five primary and ten secondary passenger lanes with canopies, as well as a dedicated vehicle bay. Commercial facilities will include a canopied lane and booth, a bus lane, a commercial dock, secure parking enclosures and two commercial bays. Other upgrades will include a satellite building for pedestrian inspection and outbound inspection facilities.
Solar panels and geothermal panels along with other geothermal technology will be installed to provide renewal energy. Traffic management will be improved by redesigned entry points to reduce congestion and enhance safety. The project is in the design phase and construction solicitations will be released when that process is completed.
Officials at the Richford Land Port of Entry, located at the border between Richford, Vermont, and Abercorn, Quebec, will invest $25 to $35 million to launch a comprehensive modernization effort that will allow the facility to meet all current U.S. Customs and Border Protection standards. Built in 1934, the existing 1.5-acre facility also does not meet immediate needs for operational efficiency.
This project will be designed to enhance traffic flow, strengthen security, and support trade and travel in the region. The scope of the project includes upgrading interior and exterior facilities, making renovations on officer work areas, and enhancing holding and inspection zones. Modernized mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems will be installed. Exterior upgrades will focus on traffic lanes, mechanical gates, guardrails, and bullet-rated officer inspection booths to streamline inspections and ensure safety. The design phase began in 2024 and contracting solicitations are tentatively scheduled for the fall of 2025, but a work launch will depend on a NEPA process completion date.
Infrastructure projects across U.S. ports and land entry facilities such as these are essential for maintaining global trade competitiveness and national security. Interested parties have ample time to engage with local stakeholders and decision makers before contracting opportunities become available, ensuring they can contribute to the continued vitality of the nation’s trade operations.
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