US DOT increases port infrastructure grant to US$684M

The Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of the movement of goods into, out of, around, or within a port.

MARAD announced a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) making US$450M available for the PIDP under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in February 2022. The US Congress then passed the FY 2022 Appropriations Act which was signed into law by President Biden which made an additional US$234M available.

Projects that improve the movement of goods to, through, and around ports at coastal seaports, inland river ports, and Great Lakes ports are eligible to receive funding.

These grants are part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal passed last year. Many US ports have bridge or depth limitations restricting their ability to receive larger, post-Panamax vessels that are expected to be the future of shipping. Other limitations such as outdated landside infrastructure were blamed for the mass port congestion seen last year.

Applications for the grants are due 16 May 2022, and previously submitted applications can be revisited due to the amendment following the increase in funding. 

Eligible projects must meet all the requirements of the PIDP as described in the NOFO. Further information on eligible projects can be found here.