The Port of New Orleans has received another federal grant to support its container shuttle service.
The Baton Rouge-New Orleans Shuttle of the M-55 received $778,350 from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration America’s Marine Highway Program to provide permanent dunnage fabrication and installation in 29 of its existing pool of barges. Permanent dunnage fabrication will increase utilization of the barges to support the continued growth of the Memphis, Tennessee, to Port Allen, Louisiana, container shuttle service and allow the movement of 10% more containers per barge.
The award was part of $9.5 million in grants to eight marine highways projects across the country.
The funding supports the enhancement of navigable waterways and expands existing waterborne freight services in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington and American Samoa.
“This Federal assistance will provide additional options to reduce congestion on the roads and help the surrounding local communities’ and the regions’ economic recovery,” Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao saidin a statement.
The America’s Marine Highway Program promotes the increased use of the nation’s navigable waterways to ensure landside congestion relief, new and efficient transportation options, and increased performance of the surface transportation system. The program works with public and private stakeholders to achieve these goals.
“The continued expansion and modernization of the U.S. marine transportation system benefits the maritime industry. U.S. waterway freight systems offer a safe and efficient option for shippers and reduce road traffic and emissions while providing jobs, commerce, and crucial resources to dozens of communities across multiple states,” Maritime Administrator Mark H. Buzby said in a statement.
Since 2016, the Maritime Administration has provided $33.8 million in grants for the America’s Marine Highway Program.
