By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration awarded Guam $5.7 million in grants under America’s Marine Highway Program.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the grant will be directed to the Port Authority of Guam for its Marine Transportation Enhancement Initiative.
The funding in this program helps expand marine highway services on the 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 to modernize and transform our world-class gateway,” said Rory Respicio, general manager of the Port Authority of Guam.
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Port officials said 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,” Buttigieg said.
“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," he added.
The marine highway grant is part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which the White House described as "a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness."
The bipartisan law seeks to "rebuild America’s roads, bridges and rails, expand access to clean drinking water, ensure every American has access to high-speed internet, tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and invest in communities that have too often been left behind."
“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.”
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