Port Authority of Guam advances $74.5M crane modernization project

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The Port Authority of Guam anticipates commencing the procurement process for new ship-to-shore gantry cranes in two weeks, entering the next phase of the $74.5 million federally funded project.

“These new cranes are critical not only to Guam’s commercial supply chain, but also to the strategic readiness and economic resilience of our island and region," Rory Respicio, the port's general manager, said Wednesday after his virtual meeting with Bryan Herdliska, grants manager with the Maritime Administration's Office of Port Infrastructure Development.

“This meeting officially moves us into the implementation phase of one of the most important infrastructure investments in the history of the Port of Guam,” Respicio said.

The meeting followed the recent award of approximately $59.6 million under the Fiscal Year 2025 Port Infrastructure Development Program, which was locally matched with $14.9 million from the port's existing reserves.

According to MARAD, the federal award supports “the acquisition and installation of three state-of-the-art Ship-to-Shore gantry cranes,” including procurement, fabrication, shipment, installation and commissioning, operator training and warranty support.

During the kickoff meeting, Herdliska outlined the grant agreement process and discussed coordination and project-related matters.

Port officials also discussed the project’s NEPA review process, grant agreement coordination, procurement preparation and other project-related requirements necessary to advance the federally funded crane modernization project.

“This project is a major operational and strategic priority for the port and for Guam,” Respicio said. “The kickoff meeting allowed both teams to align expectations early and begin moving through the federal requirements necessary to execute the grant agreement and advance procurement activities.”

The port’s current ship-to-shore gantry cranes are more than 40 years old and remain critical to cargo operations supporting Guam’s civilian, commercial, military and regional supply chain needs.

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The new cranes will replace the port’s current aging units, originally manufactured in the 1980s and acquired secondhand in 2009.

"As Guam’s only commercial seaport, the Port Authority of Guam handles over 90 percent of the island’s imports, of which 30 percent are military-related," Guam Del. James Moylan said in a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

"This investment will play a critical role in enhancing the resiliency of Guam’s supply chain, supporting both local economic development and national interests—particularly given the island’s strategic location for military

logistics and regional commerce," he added.

Mary C. Torres, former port general and current congressional candidate, said that modern, reliable equipment is essential to maintaining supply chain stability and readiness in the region.

“This investment strengthens Guam’s position as a strategic hub in the Indo-Pacific and ensures that the port can continue to serve our island and our nation effectively,” she added.

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