The US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced the availability of US$25 million in funding for America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP), which supports the development and expanded use of America’s navigable waterways.
US government said these new resources represent the largest single appropriation of funding ever provided to the AMHP and were made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act, which will make a US$1.2 trillion investment in the country’s infrastructure and competitiveness.
“America’s waterways are a vital means for getting goods onto our shelves and into our homes,” said US Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, adding “Thanks to these investments, and others like them in the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can help create jobs, reduce delays, and strengthen our critical supply chains for decades to come.”
These grants demonstrate continued action on commitments in the Biden-Harris Administration’s Port Action Plan, which meets the demand resulting from the rapid economic recovery and helps address inflationary pressures, according to a US government’s statement.
“This historic funding for the Marine Highways program will expand waterborne transportation options while helping project sponsors increase energy conservation, improve safety, reduce landside infrastructure costs, and reduce travel delays caused by congestion. This investment will also create well-paying maritime jobs,” commented Acting Maritime Administrator, Lucinda Lessley.
