AmericasPorts and Logistics

US to invest $4bn in port and waterway infrastructure this year

The US Army Corps of Engineers has received $4bn in funding through the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for fiscal year 2022 investments to improve ports and waterways.

The funds will enable the Army Corps to initiate projects to expand capacity at key ports, allow passage of larger vessels, and further enhance the country’s ability to move goods. These waterside investments will complement already-announced landside investments at ports and across the goods movement chain.

The $4bn includes $858m to support the replacement of locks that keep water levels high enough for large cargo ships to pass through the upper Ohio River, west of Pittsburgh, as well as more than $470m to complete construction of a new lock along St. Mary’s River in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan, which serves as a passageway for nearly all domestically produced iron ore.

An $8m investment will improve commercial navigation and allow larger and more ships to pass at the Port of Long Beach, California – part of the nation’s largest port complex. The investment will support design work to widen the port’s main channel, deepen the entrance channel, and build an approach channel and turning basin.

At Norfolk Harbor, Virginia, which handled 67% more containers in 2021 than it did 10 years ago, an investment of $69m will deepen and widen the harbor’s shipping channels to improve navigation and enable safer access for larger commercial and naval vessels.

Kim Biggar

Kim Biggar started writing in the supply chain sector in 2000, when she joined the Canadian Association of Supply Chain & Logistics Management. In 2004/2005, she was project manager for the Government of Canada-funded Canadian Logistics Skills Committee, which led to her 13-year role as communications manager of the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council. A longtime freelance writer, Kim has contributed to publications including The Forwarder, 3PL Americas, The Shipper Advocate and Supply Chain Canada.

Comments

  1. I would think that a one time funding of USD 4 billion is a laugh and only addresses part of the many problems. Apart from the complications due to the historic ‘chassis’ practice for containers there are other organisational and regulatory obstacles, one of which can be ound here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z7Vu8Jgv6A – quite revealing and astonishing.

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