MARAD awards $498 million in grants for 35 port projects across 19 states
MARAD, the federal Maritime Administration, just awarded $498 million in grants.
The short version
- The money goes to 35 port upgrade projects across 19 states.
- This is the final funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- Whittier, Alaska, received the largest single grant of over $50.5 million.
Check your shipping costs this week. The Maritime Administration, the federal agency that runs port programs, just awarded $498 million in annual port infrastructure grants. The money is spread across 35 projects in 19 states, but it marks the lowest funding level in five years and the final payout from the $2.25 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe Biden in November 2021.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the investment will upgrade ports to lower shipping costs. The largest single grant went to Whittier, Alaska, which received more than $50.5 million to replace its DeLong Dock with a new 1,150-foot facility. Other major awards include $40 million for the Blount Island Marine Terminal berth in Jacksonville, Florida, and $30.7 million for Port Everglades, Florida.
The American Association of Port Authorities points out that this year's total is down from $774 million in April and warns of an $10.9 billion infrastructure deficit over the next five years without new Congressional appropriations. For every federal dollar awarded through the Port Infrastructure Development Program, ports typically match it with a dollar of state, local, or private investment.
MARAD Administrator Stephen M. Carmel noted the agency has delivered nearly $1.4 billion in total funding to modernize marine infrastructure. A full list of the 2026 awards is available on the MARAD webpage.
