Four new marine highway projects, located in North Carolina, Alaska and Puerto Rico, have secured project designation from the US Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD).

The four projects are North Carolina’s Riverbulk Steel Shuttle, the Yakutat freight expansion service and Unalaska Express project in Alaska, and the Puerto Rican maritime transportation services project.

The designation as part of America’s Marine Highway Programme (AMHP) will enable the projects to apply for federal funding to resolve supply chain issues under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

MARAD stated that ‘a marine highway project is a planned service or expansion of an existing service, on a designated marine highway route’.

The project designation will enable Riverbulk Steel Shuttle to maintain the existing barge service, which ships steel plates along the M-95, M-64 and M-495 marine highway corridors.

It will also support the expansion of an existing freight service on the M-5 (AK) marine highway route, which will help the Yakutat freight expansion service serve the city and Borough of Yakutat, Alaska.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

MARAD’s project designation will also enable the expansion of the CMA CGM barge terminal that operates in the City of Unalaska’s International Port of Dutch Harbour. The harbour uses the M-5 route to link Kodiak, Seward and Valdez.

Lastly, under the Puerto Rico maritime transportation services project, the designation will allow the creation of routes between the municipality of Ceiba and the islands of Culebra and Vieques.

These routes will help island residents avail vital services from the main island, including food, groceries, furniture, construction services, materials and equipment.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said: “We are using resources from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make historic investments in our nation’s marine highways – part of our continuing action to address global supply chain disruptions and lower costs for American families.”

Last month, MARAD announced additional funding of $234.3m for the Port Infrastructure Development Programme (PIDP).