Federal support for landside and waterside infrastructure improvements, together with security and environmental protection, are key priorities for America’s ports. Congressional appropriations for freight transportation, port security, diesel emissions reduction grants, additional Customs inspectors at seaports, FAST Act investments, the Maritime Administration’s StrongPorts Program, and NOAA’s navigation program, together with work on the administration’s proposed $1 trillion infrastructure package, are all key needs.
While ports are pleased Congress continues strong funding for the Corps of Engineers Navigation program, including making progress toward full use of annual Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) revenue, a top 2018 priority is getting a two-year Water Resources Development Act bill reauthorized. Ports will also continue seeking opportunities in Congress to make HMT spending mandatory, while addressing donor equity concerns.
If tax reform legislation stalls, ports will keep urging Congress to maintain exemptions on bonds, and advance refunding of existing bonds, to build infrastructure and wind energy projects.
US seaports have identified $66 billion in necessary port-related infrastructure investments over the next decade to keep freight moving efficiently … $33.8 billion for waterside and $32.03 billion for landside investments.
America’s seaport activity accounts for over a quarter of the national economy and supports more than 23 million US jobs. Local ports and their private sector partners plan to invest nearly $155 billion into infrastructure over the next five years. Leveraging federal investments in port-related programs will yield huge dividends in the form of economic growth, maintaining and creating jobs, enhancing America’s international competitiveness and sustaining a healthy environment.