Biden to spend $17 billion to address shipping backlog

by sam

Samuel Case, FISM News 

 

The White House released a fact sheet on Tuesday detailing a plan to designate $17 billion from the newly passed $1 trillion infrastructure bill to address the backlogs plaguing America’s shipping ports. 

This action plan will increase federal flexibilities for port grants; accelerate port infrastructure grant awards; announce new construction projects for coastal navigation, inland waterways, and land ports of entry; and launch the first round of expanded port infrastructure grants funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal.

The administration stated that they are looking to designate the funds through the following “near-term actions”:

  •  Over $240 million to “modernize ports and marine highways” within the next 45 days.
  •  $4 billion in funding for “projects for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction at coastal ports and inland waterway” that are to be identified within the next 60 days. These projects are likely to include repairing old infrastructure and deepening harbors for large ships. 
  • $3.4 billion “to upgrade obsolete inspection facilities and allow more efficient international trade through the northern and southern borders.” This effort includes a plan to “prioritize key ports of entry for modernization and expansion within the next 90 days.”
  • Over $475 million in additional port infrastructure grants, to be determined by “open competition.”

In addition to these future funding plans, the White House also announced immediate actions they believe will help alleviate strains on shipping ports. These actions include allowing port authorities to “redirect project cost savings toward tackling supply chain challenges,” as well as $8 million dollars for “pop-up container yards” in Georgia and North Carolina to free up dock space. 

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