U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced Thursday that legislation reauthorizing the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) as part of the National Defense Authorization Act is headed to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature.
The $1.35 billion package will expand investment into modernizing ports, maritime infrastructure and shipbuilding, as well as expanding workforce education and training. The legislation passed the U.S. House and Senate this past week.
“This bill invests in modernizing America’s ports and shipyards that play a central role in moving American products around the country and world and further expands opportunities to support Washington state’s $1.2 billion seafood industry,” Cantwell said. “It makes critical investments in growing our maritime workforce by doubling educational stipends for State Maritime Academy students and expanding career opportunities for advancement into high-wage maritime jobs.”
The MARAD reauthorization includes $500 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program, a 135.63 percent increase over the previous fiscal year budget; $318 million for Maritime Security Program; $198.5 million for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and $66.58 million for state maritime academies, a nearly 50 percent increase for both programs.
Additional provisions included in the final bill expanded the Port Infrastructure Development Grant Program to include port infrastructure support seafood and seafood-related businesses, boosting the funding for the Federal Ship Financing Program to allow for the reconstruction, repair and reconfiguration of vessels at U.S. shipyards, and doubling the stipends for students at state maritime academies to increase program competitiveness and retention.