MARAD Designates New Marine Highway Projects

Photo: Kira Volkov/Shutterstock

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced the designation of nine Marine Highway Projects and a Marine Highway Route, helping shift the transportation of cargo and people from the highways to the nation’s waterways.

MARAD said the new designations will benefit Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington State and American Samoa.

Marine highways are navigable waterways that can be used as alternate options to traditional shipping methods.

“The designation of marine highways by Congress will help move cargo and people to help grow the economy and shift freight off of congested highways,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP) authorizes the designation of Marine Highway Routes and Marine Highway Projects. A Marine Highway Project is a planned service, or expansion of an existing service, on a designated Marine Highway Route.

The designation from MARAD helps makes projects and highway routes eligible to apply for federal funding. In Fiscal Year 2019, the U.S. Congress appropriated $7 million in funding to benefit the Marine Highway Routes and projects.

“Marine highways are an efficient and cost-effective option for moving freight and passengers in America,” said Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby.

Details of the new designations can be found here.

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