White House announces plans to evaluate, upgrade US ports in light of supply chain issues

The Biden administration has announced plans to identify and fund potential upgrades to US ports within the next three months as a way to alleviate recent supply chain headaches. 

The administration announced the plans on Tuesday, November 9th, on the heels of a $1 trillion infrastructure package announced on Friday. That package includes $17 billion towards improving coastal and land ports to ensure supply chain stability in the long term, reported AP News.

The plans would allow port authorities to redirect any money leftover from grant projects towards improving the ports and addressing supply chain issues. For example, the Georgia Port Authority will soon be using $8 million to transform its inland facilities into container yards, which would free up space for more containers and alleviate one of the major roadblocks in the current supply chain crisis – container storage. 

Additional aspects of the upcoming plans include a $240 million grant program to modernize ports and marine highways, and identifying needed repairs and opportunities to deepen harbors for larger ships – all expected to begin within the next two months. 

The Transportation Department also plans to release official guidance on best practices for freight movement so that states can maximize the infrastructure investments, and even plans to request information regarding freight movement from each state as a way to increase efficiency and transparency within the supply chain.