MARAD Announces More Than $12 Million in Funding for the Renamed U.S. Marine Highway Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced the availability of more than $12 million for the newly-renamed United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP), formerly known as the America’s Marine Highway Program.

“America’s waterways serve as critical links in our nation’s supply chains,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These investments in our marine highways will help to strengthen our supply chains, reduce emissions, and create jobs across the country.”

A Notice of Funding Opportunity makes $12,423,000 available in Fiscal Year 2023 funds. The amount is less than the $39 million awarded last year, which included $25 million made available thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law plus an additional $14.8 million via the FY 2022 Appropriations Act.

“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.”

The DOT will evaluate projects using criteria including the effect on movement of goods, level of non-federal funding investment, use of domestic preference, consideration of equity, and environmental justice. The Department will also consider geographic diversity when selecting grant recipients, as well as how the project addresses challenges faced by rural areas.

Since its inception, the USMHP has designated 58 Marine Highway Projects.

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