U.S. Maritime Administration Awards $498 Million for Port Infrastructure Upgrades

The United States Maritime Administration announced on October 27, 2026, that it has awarded $498 million in grants to support 35 port infrastructure projects across 19 states. This funding is part of the Port Infrastructure Development Program, which aims to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the nation's supply chains. The grants cover a wide range of improvements, including dock replacements, terminal hardening, and the purchase of new cargo-handling equipment. This round of funding marks the final installment of the $2.25 billion commitment established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. While the program has been instrumental in modernizing maritime facilities, this latest distribution represents the lowest level of funding provided through the initiative in five years. Port authorities across the country are now calling on Congress to authorize new appropriations to ensure continued development. Alaska received a significant portion of the total funding to support its critical maritime network. The City of Whittier was awarded over $50.5 million to replace the aging DeLong Dock with a new 1,150-foot facility. This project includes the construction of a new dock manager building, the installation of three pedestal cranes, and the acquisition of an integrated tug and barge system. Other Alaskan projects also received substantial support to bolster regional commerce and emergency response capabilities. The Saint Herman Harbor in Kodiak was granted $26 million for its ongoing recapitalization program. Additionally, Nome received $11.25 million to support local service infrastructure for its Arctic deep-draft port, while Unalaska secured over $4.4 million for its maritime hub. In Florida, Port Everglades received $30.75 million to reinforce its liquid bulk terminal and widen the slip to accommodate larger vessels. Jacksonville’s Blount Island Marine Terminal also secured a $40 million grant to reconstruct its berth. These investments are designed to help ports handle larger cargo volumes and improve overall operational capacity. Inland ports in the American Corn Belt also benefited from the latest round of federal support. The Maritime Administration awarded more than $41 million to four regional, multimodal inland ports. These projects focus on redeveloping brownfield sites and extending barge slips to better serve the agricultural and industrial raw-commodity networks. For example, the Peoria Multimodal River Terminal in Illinois received $11.25 million to transform a former industrial site into a modern marine terminal. In Morris, Illinois, the Grundy County Multimodal Terminal project was awarded nearly $11 million to extend its existing barge slip and install new cargo-handling machinery. These upgrades are intended to strengthen the domestic supply chain for critical minerals and steel. Minnesota’s Red Wing Port Authority was awarded $10.2 million to rebuild its barge-loading infrastructure. The project aims to elevate the facility above the Mississippi River floodplain to protect it from future flood damage. This effort highlights the program's focus on building more resilient maritime structures in the face of environmental challenges. Beyond capital construction, the grants also support the integration of new port technology and rail connections. The funding is intended to ensure that ports can meet the anticipated growth in freight volumes over the coming years. By aligning infrastructure with actual cargo demand, officials hope to reduce bottlenecks and lower shipping costs for businesses. As the current funding cycle concludes, industry leaders are emphasizing the need for long-term planning. The Maritime Administration noted that individual project schedules will depend on local procurement and delivery timelines. Future maritime growth will likely depend on continued coordination between federal agencies and local port authorities to maintain these essential trade gateways.