News Release
FOR RELEASE - October 27, 2026
Contact: Shawn Balcomb, press@aapa-ports.org

American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org

Statement from AAPA on $498 Million in PIDP Awards from Trump Admin USDOT

Washington, D.C. – The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) congratulates the 35 award recipients of the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grants from the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) application cycle.

“Federal investment in America’s maritime industry, combined with state, local, and private capital, is vital to our economic and national security,” stated Sang Yi, AAPA President and CEO. “AAPA and our nation’s ports are grateful to President Trump, Secretary Duffy, and Administrator Carmel for their leadership in prioritizing investment in our U.S. ports.”

This year, the mainstay port industry grant program, administered by MARAD under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), will invest $498 million to upgrade America’s ports in 19 states. A few project examples funded by this round of awards include:

• Relocation, widening, and physical hardening of a slip at a liquid bulk facility on Florida’s Atlantic Coast;
• Purchase of a digital twin model, multi-modal sensing hardware, and software programming resources for a major energy export hub in Texas.
• Restoration of existing piles, beams, deck surfaces, and berthing systems to rehabilitate an existing berth at a small Northern California port; and
• Procurement of new cargo handling equipment such as mobile harbor cranes and reach stackers to expand container trade on the Great Lakes.

Key Background:

This year’s FY26 PIDP awards include the final advanced appropriations funding for PIDP from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funding for PIDP is set to dramatically decline next year, barring much-needed Congressional action. AAPA maintains that the next Surface Transportation Reauthorization should include advanced appropriations for PIDP so America’s ports have the funding they need to keep our nation’s supply chains strong and fluid.

Read DOT’s release here.

Find the full list of PIDP awards here.

About AAPA:

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is the unified voice of port leaders and maritime industry partners across the Western Hemisphere which serve a vital role in job-creation, international competitiveness, and economic prosperity. Connecting small business owners, retailers, and manufacturers to the global marketplace, AAPA member organizations advocate for national policies and infrastructure investments in support of a resilient global supply chain and a positive impact on the way people live, work, travel, and engage in commerce.