(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) on Thursday announced that it was investing $13.2 million in 11 marine highway projects across seven states through the U.S. Marine Highway Program.
The funding will support public and private partners in developing supply chains on marine highway routes – including the transportation of waste in Oregon and the improvement of barge docks in Pennsylvania – to ensure resiliency.
“Investing in marine highways will strengthen the Great Lakes economy and other regional communities,” said \Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “We’ll deliver jobs, boost provide a boost for local industries, and strengthen infrastructure our economy relies on.”
“The Marine Highway Program is a vital opportunity to expand the nation’s freight capacity,” said MarAd Administrator Steve Carmel. “By fully integrating our navigable waterways into the national transportation system, we keep the American economy moving forward.”
U.S. marine highways are a vital component of America’s transportation infrastructure, offering a reliable way to move goods while easing congestion on the nation’s busy road and rail systems. The network spans 27,139 miles across 41 states, Washington, D.C., and all five U.S. territories. The 35 designated routes underpin U.S. supply chains, critical infrastructure, and maritime workforce development.
The 2025 funding recipients include:
Columbia Port Commission, Columbia, La., $400,000
Funds will be provided for a plan that supports near-term expansion of rail and waterborne facilities in the Delta Region that could handle unit trains and containerized cargo beyond current tenant needs along the M-167 route.
Morgan City Harbor and Terminal District, Morgan City, La., $772,800
Funds will go toward the procurement, delivery, and assembly of a minimum 65-ton rough terrain crane and attachments, and a track skid steel ;oader for use at the port’s terminal facility, enhancing the efficiency and safety in cargo transloading.
MFA Inc., Caruthersville, Mo., $1,744,218
Funds will be provided for the installation of a modern, high-capacity tank blending system to enhance fertilizer-handling efficiency, support modal shift from truck to barge transportation, and strengthen rural logistics in alignment with MarAd’s Marine Highway Program goals. The project proposes consolidating blending at the terminal level, where river access and storage capacity can be optimized for higher throughput and environmental benefit. The system will be modular, automation-ready, and designed to scale with seasonal demand. It eliminates the need for end loaders, reduces operational bottlenecks, and increases the terminal’s service capacity for regional agricultural customers.
Port of Monroe, Monroe, Mich., $558,960
Funds will go toward the acquisition of two attachments for the Port of Monroe’s Manitowoc MLC165 crawler crane: a purpose-built hydraulic clamshell bucket and a telescopic container spreader bar. These attachments are essential to safely and efficiently handle dry-bulk and containerized cargo at the port’s main terminal. The clamshell bucket will support the movement of synthetic gypsum, bottom ash, and other bulk materials, while the spreader bar will enable containerized cargo operations when the port’s new terminal becomes operational in 2026.
Port Authority of Columbiana County, Wellsville, Ohio, $440,683
Funds will go toward the acquisition of two eight-yard diesel over-hydraulic clamshell buckets to be used at the Port of Ohio for the Pier 48 overhead gantry crane. These buckets will replace two aging 10-yard buckets originally manufactured in 1979 and later refurbished. The new equipment will support the safe, efficient loading of high-density bulk material, particularly chemical grade barite. This project will significantly expand the port’s ability to serve both existing and prospective shippers.
Finley Buttes Ltd. Partnership, Umatilla, Ore., $480,000
Funds will be provided to establish a marine highway transport route for containerized municipal solid waste from Puget Sound, Wash., to Umatilla, Ore. The project includes market analysis, feasibility/modal study, alternative site analysis, preliminary engineering, NEPA review, and permitting of the preferred site to prepare for future funding for construction and implementation of the service.
Shaver Transportation Co., Portland, Ore., $3,750,000
Funds will go toward the construction of a new 3,600-ton capacity barge designed to serve the Columbia-Snake River M-84 marine highway. The engineering designs for the new barge have already been completed by Shaver Transportation. The objective of this project is to expand barge capacity along the M-84 marine highway to meet confirmed shipper demand, reduce landside congestion, improve freight system resilience, and support the continued cost-competitiveness of Pacific Northwest agricultural exports.
Heartland Fabrication LLC, Brownsville, Pa., $599,260
Funds will be provided for berth improvements of barge docks at the Heartland Fabrication facility to improve cargo-handling efficiency and long-term resilience for barge transportation to and from the site. The cover dock berths will be improved through maintenance dredging, mooring system upgrades, and new gangway access. The floating dock area berths will be improved through maintenance dredging and replacement of a floating dock. The launchway berth will be improved through maintenance dredging.
Armada Marine Services LLC, Philadelphia, Pa., $2,000,000
A grant will be provided to fund the procurement of an oceangoing deck barge that is American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) certified and Jones Act qualified. The barge will be used in transportation corridors along the Atlantic for shipping sand and gravel, as well as project cargoes.
BCS Operations LLC, Bellingham, Wash., $1,550,000
Funds will be provided to acquire cargo-handling equipment, including nine drayage chassis, top pick machines, and a shrink-wrapping system. This project builds on previous investments in port infrastructure and logistics efficiency, complementing other regional transportation initiatives aimed at enhancing maritime freight movement.
Tidewater Barge Line, Vancouver, Wash., $984,430
Funds will go toward the conversion of four double-hull barges from petroleum service to chemical service. This upgrade will enable Tidewater to expand its barge transportation capacity for liquid fertilizer, specifically UAN 32 (urea ammonium nitrate solution), along the Columbia and Snake River System.
– U.S. Department of Transportation
