On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that its Maritime Administration (MARAD) would make more than $12 million in funding available for the U.S. Marine Highway Program (USMHP).
The program, previously named America’s Marine Highway Program, would seek to increase the use of the country’s navigable waterways, especially in areas where travel by water is efficient, effective, and sustainable. The USMHP helps to create maritime jobs, strengthen the nation’s supply chains, reduce emissions, and lower maintenance costs.
“America’s waterways serve as critical links in our nation’s supply chains,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “These investments in our marine highways will help to strengthen our supply chains, reduce emissions, and create jobs across the country.”
MARAD issued its Notice of Funding Opportunity and will accept applications through April 28, 2023. The department will evaluate applications based on the project’s effect on goods movement, the level of non-federal funding, the use of domestic preference, and considerations of equity and environmental justice. Additionally, the department will consider geographic diversity and how projects address challenges in rural areas.
“Since the establishment of the marine highways program, MARAD has awarded more than $91.6 million in competitive grants to eligible organizations for marine highway services,” said Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips. “These grants have supported the development and expansion of marine highways, vessels, and landside ports and infrastructure, which are critical to building supply chain resilience.”