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Press Releases

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

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Funding Availability for Port Infrastructure Development Program

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to apply for $225 million in discretionary grant funding through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).

“America’s ports are a critical part of the Nation’s multimodal transportation network and this Notice of Funding Opportunity provides guidance on how to apply for these grants,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The Port Infrastructure Development

Maritime Administration Announces More Than $280 Million in Grants for Nation's Ports

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD) today announced that it has awarded more than $280 million in discretionary grant funding through the new Port Infrastructure Development Program.  This funding is designed to improve port facilities at or near coastal seaports.

“Ports are gateways to the world and port infrastructure investments will improve the regional economy, increase productivity and economic competitiveness, and create more

New U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Board of Visitors to Convene

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s (USMMA) new 16 member Board of Visitors will convene for the first time at Kings Point on Monday, February 3 at 9:00 a.m. (click here for additional information).  The Board will serve through October 2021.

“The Department is dedicated to providing midshipmen with the finest possible education, preparing them to excel as mariners and military officers,” said U.S. Transportation

Maritime Administration Announces Funding Availability for Small U.S. Shipyards

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today announced the availability of $19.6 million in federal funding to support capital improvements and employee training at small U.S. shipyards.  The Small Shipyard Grant Program helps modernize eligible shipyard operations by improving efficiency and fostering quality ship construction, repair, and reconfiguration.

“The Department of Transportation will be investing $19.6 million to help shipyards across