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Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Invests Half a Billion into Modernizing America’s Ports, Bolstering Supply Chains

Tuesday, October 27, 2026
"America is building again delivered by President Trump and Secretary Duffy"

35 port projects across 19 states will receive investments to bolster America’s supply chains

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced a $498 million investment to modernize America’s ports and help secure America’s maritime dominance. From coastal seaports and Great Lakes ports to inland river ports—Secretary Duffy is delivering critical funding to bolster these gateways that keep America’s supply chain moving.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD)’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) is delivering funding to 35 projects across 19 states, including:

  • $50,593,488 to the City of Whittier in Alaska to replace the DeLong Dock, install a seasonal floating dock and a new dock manager building, and acquire three pedestal cranes alongside an integrated tug and barge. 
  • $30,750,000 to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to physically harden the liquid bulk terminal, widen the slip to accommodate larger ships, and strengthen the port’s resilience to maintain critical fuel operations during severe weather.
  • $698,750 to the Rockport Harbor in Rockport, Maine, to upgrade commercial seafood infrastructure by constructing a 20 x 30-foot fixed timber pier–complete with 12 timber piles, marine-grade connectors, and a vessel fendering system–to streamline vessel-to-truck product transfers.
  • $10,161,985 to Red Wing Port Authority in Red Wing, Minnesota, to reconstruct its barge loading system, conveyors, electric winch, and dust collection systems–increasing cargo throughput and elevating loadout infrastructure above the Mississippi River floodplain.
  • $11,250,000 to North Carolina State Ports Authority-MHC in Moorehead City, North Carolina, to construct a 75-foot inland pile-supported concrete deck for heavy-lift cargo, install a new crane rail and dual on-dock rail extensions, and deploy Smart Harbor Pilot Program security system and Optical Character Recognition tracking software.
  • $9,412,500 to Port Freeport in Freeport, Texas, to replace a 25-year-old bulk rice loader, install a rack system in the rice storage shed, and move the southern wall of the shed to expand berthing space.
  • $7,153,376 to the Port of Corpus Christi Authority in Corpus Christi, Texas, to purchase a digital twin model, multi-modal sensing hardware, and software programming resources including, survey-grade LiDAR, multibeam and side-scan SONAR, high-definition cameras, and transponders to deliver continuous situational awareness across pipeline, rail, roadway, and waterway infrastructure.

“The strength of our nation’s economy is directly tied to the state of our ports,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “This nearly half-billion-dollar investment will deliver critical upgrades to ports across America so we can enhance supply chains, lower shipping costs, and create good-paying jobs for hardworking Americans. Under President Trump, America’s maritime dominance is coming back stronger than ever.”

“The President’s commitment to modernizing our port and maritime infrastructure has resulted in an unprecedented investment that will empower local port communities to modernize their operations, integrate innovative technologies, and create safer working environments,” said MARAD Administrator Stephen M. Carmel.

MARAD’s PIDP aims to modernize America’s ports and strengthen our supply chains, helping reduce time and costs for shippers, and drive down the cost of goods for American families. The U.S. has more than 300 ports operated by states, counties, municipalities, and private corporations.

Additional Information:

Secretary Duffy has overseen an historic overhaul of America’s ports, shipyards, inland waterways, and the Merchant Marine Academy to advance the President’s maritime dominance agenda:

  • Delivering nearly $1.4 billion in funding to upgrade America’s ports and marine highways to strengthen our supply chain.
  • Cutting red tape to streamline environmental reviews for deepwater ports to expand American energy production.
  • Announcing a $2 billion investment to build two new military ships.
  • Accelerating the modernization of the United States Merchant Marine Academy campus.
  • Unleashing innovation into small modular nuclear reactors to create next-generation ship technology.
     

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