The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced on April 28, 2026 that it is investing $774 million across 37 port projects nationwide — the largest single-round Port Infrastructure Development Program award in recent memory and a significant milestone in the Trump administration’s push to restore American maritime dominance. The grants span coastal seaports, Great Lakes ports, and inland river ports from Alaska to West Virginia, targeting a wide range of capital improvements including expanded rail tunnels to boost intermodal capacity, upgraded cargo screening technology, adaptable two-tier docks for all-weather operations, and new cargo terminal construction to improve throughput efficiency.

The funding flows through MARAD’s Port Infrastructure Development Program, a competitive discretionary grant program authorized under the National Defense Authorization Act and funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provided $2.25 billion for the program over five years from 2022 through 2026. This latest round builds on prior PIDP awards and operates under revised criteria introduced by Secretary Duffy, including new priority considerations for projects in Qualified Opportunity Zones, projects incorporating innovative technology, and projects supporting national multimodal freight goals. At least 25% of the total — approximately $122 million — is reserved for small projects at small ports, ensuring that mid-sized and regional port facilities share in the investment.

MARAD Administrator Stephen M. Carmel framed the announcement as part of a broader mission: “America’s ports fuel our economy, bolster domestic energy, and cut costs for hardworking families.” The investment arrives as the administration’s Maritime Action Plan — released in February 2026 — pushes to reverse decades of decline in U.S. commercial maritime capacity, expand the American-flagged fleet, and reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign-built and foreign-operated vessels. With $12.9 billion committed across maritime programs in 2026, Tuesday’s $774 million port infrastructure announcement represents one of the largest single-day deliveries on those commitments to date.