U.S. ports are receiving multimillion-dollar grants to enhance their cargo handling infrastructure.
The Biden administration is continuing its $21 billion commitment to modernizing U.S. port infrastructure with significant grants aimed at enhancing cargo handling capabilities, improving efficiency, and supporting economic growth across the country.
Among the recipients of 2023 Port Infrastructure Development Program grants is the Port of Baltimore, which has been awarded $47 million to support a range of improvements, including the development of an offshore wind manufacturing hub. The grant will also fund the construction of a new berth for rolling cargo, an essential upgrade for a port that handles the most rolling cargo imports in the U.S. This includes key imports like farm machinery from John Deere and light-duty vehicles from BMW, according to the Maryland Port Administration.
In total, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration awarded more than $653 million in federal funds to ports across the country in 2023. Other major projects include the $54.2 million expansion of the Husky Terminal in Tacoma, Washington, and a $52.6 million investment in the North Harbor Transportation System Improvement Project in Long Beach, California.
In addition to these grants, the Environmental Protection Agency is offering funds to reduce truck idling, and the U.S. Department of Defense is working on deepening East Coast waterways to accommodate larger vessels.
Port Infrastructure Across the Southeast Coast Expanding
Maritime economists agree that the growth isn’t limited to Baltimore. Experts are noting increased activity at U.S. ports along the Southeast coast, with many of these gateways seeing rising cargo volumes as major entry points become congested with truck traffic.
“All of the ports on the East Coast are upgrading their infrastructure and capacity,” said Walter Kemmsies, managing partner at Kemmsies Group, a maritime economics consulting firm working with the Port Authority of Georgia in Savannah. “This makes ports more attractive to ocean carriers, who prefer fast, efficient operations and access to multiple ports for flexibility.”
Partnerships and Investments to Drive Growth
At the Port of Baltimore, a public-private partnership between Ports America and the state of Maryland has already led to $550 million in upgrades at the Seagirt Marine Terminal since 2010. These improvements, including container yard densification, have bolstered the port’s capacity and streamlined operations.
These infrastructure upgrades build on long-term plans to revitalize America’s industrial cities. In Baltimore, public officials are addressing bottlenecks throughout the supply chain, including through the expansion of the Howard Street Tunnel. The project will increase double-stack rail capacity, facilitating smoother transport of goods to and from the Midwest and enhancing the overall efficiency of the port.
About the Port Infrastructure Development Program
The Port Infrastructure Development Program is part of a broader national effort to ensure U.S. ports are competitive, efficient, and capable of handling the growing demands of global trade. By investing in critical infrastructure and modernizing port facilities, the Biden administration is laying the groundwork for a more resilient supply chain, fostering economic growth, and supporting jobs nationwide.
For more information about the Port Infrastructure Development Program, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration website.
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