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Press Releases

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces First Marine Highway Project Designation for North Carolina

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces First Marine Highway Project Designation for North Carolina

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao today announced the designation of the North Carolina Ferry System (NCFS) as a Marine Highway Project, a first for the state of North Carolina. Marine highways are navigable waterways that can be used as alternate...

Maritime Administration Accepting Applications for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today announced that it is accepting applications from eligible and qualified institutions to apply for a Centers of Excellence (CoE) designation, which will recognize and support community or technical colleges and maritime training centers that prepare Americans for careers in the maritime industry.

“These educational institutions benefit America’s national security and economy by

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces Over $220 Million in Grants for America's Ports

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced the award of more than $220 million in discretionary grant funding to improve port facilities in 16 states and territories through the Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program. “This $220 million in federal grants will improve America’s ports with nearly half the projects are located in Opportunity Zones, which were established to revitalize economically distressed

U.S. Department of Transportation Launches New Marine Highway Module of Port Planning and Investment Toolkit

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today announced the launch of a new Marine Highway module of the Port Planning & Investment Toolkit (Toolkit), which helps U.S. ports plan, evaluate, and finance freight transportation projects.  This easy-to-read, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-execute Toolkit, which was produced as part of a cooperative agreement between MARAD and the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), helps guide ports

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $9.5 Million in Grants for America’s Marine Highways

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded $9.5 million in grants to eight marine highways projects across the Nation under the America’s Marine Highway Program. The funding supports the enhancement of navigable waterways and expands existing waterborne freight services in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington and American Samoa “This Federal assistance will provide additional

Maritime Day Observance Also Recognizes Award of Congressional Gold Medal to World War II Merchant Mariners

WASHINGTON – On this Maritime Day, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) are honoring the men and women who serve the industry “in peace and war,” while paying a special tribute to World War II merchant mariners. President Donald J. Trump recently signed the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2020. The Act awards “a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the United States merchant mariners of World War II,” in

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces Nearly $20 Million in Funding to Small Shipyards

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today awarded $19.6 million in discretionary grants to 24 U.S. small shipyards through the Small Shipyard Grant Program. The funding will help modernize America’s small shipyards, making them more efficient in constructing commercial vessels. “This $19.6 million federal government investment in the nation’s small shipyards will help maintain the U. S. shipyard infrastructure of our country,” said U.S.

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Philly Shipyard, Inc. Selected to Build the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV)

WASHINGTON – Today, the Maritime Administration announced that TOTE Services, LLC, has selected Philly Shipyard, Inc., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to construct the newest class of training ship, the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV). The shipyard will construct up to five new ships to provide world-class maritime training for America’s future mariners and to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in times of need. (Full TOTE announcement below) “This new world

Readout of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao and Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby Call with Maritime Industry Leaders

Today, Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao joined Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby in a call with CEOs, Presidents and other senior officials of the maritime industry. During the call, Secretary Chao voiced her support for the Maritime Industry and the challenges they face at this time. Secretary Chao and Administrator Buzby briefed maritime industry partners on Departmental activities concerning COVID-19 and provided industry leaders the opportunity to share their insights,

Maritime Administration Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity for America's Marine Highway Program

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration today announced the availability of $9.5 million in grant funding for the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP). “Marine highways are an efficient and cost-effective option for moving freight and passengers in America,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.  The AMHP supports the increased use of the nation’s navigable waterways to relieve landside congestion, provides new and efficient transportation