October 12, 2022 — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded Guam $5.7 million in grants under the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP).

The funding in this program helps expand marine highway services on our nation’s navigable waterways to reduce congestion, alleviate supply chain bottlenecks, and move goods more quickly from ships to shelves.

“Our progress at the Port continues with this latest award of federal funds that will be used to continue our efforts modernize and transform our world-class gateway,” said Port Authority of Guam General Manager Rory J. Respicio. “This work being done is in line with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio’s commitment to modernize our Port as the harbor of all things coming to Guam.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced today that the Port Authority of Guam was awarded $5,703,560 for the Guam Marine Transportation Enhancement Initiative. The America’s Marine Highway Grant funds will go toward expanding the Port’s fleet of specialized container yard equipment. The equipment includes two 40-ton loaded container handlers; three 10-ton empty container handlers; five 5.5-ton forklifts; one 180-foot boom lift; nine container yard tractors; and two 40-plug mobile reefer generators.

“At a time of record demand for goods, it’s more important than ever to strengthen our supply chains so our manufacturers can grow and American families can get the things they need quickly and affordably,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Today’s announcement will help improve our marine highway system across the country, alleviating congestion, modernizing port operations, and ultimately lowering the cost of goods for American families.”

Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the AMHP received an additional $25 million in funding this year—the largest single investment in the program ever.

“America’s Marine Highway Program is an innovative program that encourages the use of America’s navigable waterways for the movement of freight and people, reducing congestion on land-based transportation,” said Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips. “The funding announced today advances our ongoing efforts to help new marine highway services begin operation and to improve existing services.”

Since its inception, the AMHP has designated 58 Marine Highway Projects bolstering jobs and local economies across the country. In this round of funding, projects were awarded to not only strengthen supply chains, but also our national security by adding to the Nation’s strategic sealift resources and providing transportation alternatives during times of disaster or national emergency.