Maritime Administration Expands U.S. Marine Highway with New Routes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States is set to expand its Marine Highway Program significantly with the addition of new routes and sponsors, enhancing a crucial component of American transport infrastructure. Announced by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) has increased the program by designating 848 additional miles of navigable waterways and accommodating 14 new sponsors.

The program now spans 27,139 miles across 35 routes, aiming to fortify supply chains, key infrastructure, and the maritime workforce. Notably, the M-90 route, which links Minnesota to New York through a 2,345-mile path across the Great Lakes, sees a boost with seven new sponsors. These include the transportation departments of Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and New York, alongside the Ports of Indiana and the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority.

“Coming from the Midwest, I’ve seen firsthand how maritime dominance isn’t just about our oceans. Our nation's many rivers and inland ports are crucial resources to moving great American products to markets across the country and around the world,” remarked U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Expanding the Marine Highway Program will strengthen the Great Lakes economy and other regional communities.”

“By adding local sponsors to the Marine Highway Program who know these regions well, we can help more American communities and businesses prosper,” commented MARAD Acting Administrator Sang Yi. “Bringing more partners into the marine transportation network is a no brainer.”

Further Details:

The U.S. Marine Highways play a critical role in the nation's transport framework, providing a dependable means for goods movement while alleviating congestion in road and rail systems. By offering shippers diverse options, these waterways promote job creation and economic growth in port areas and along freight paths. As freight demand continues to escalate, the Marine Highways function as an efficient method to ensure goods flow smoothly across the country. The USMHP offers federal grants to eligible projects on designated routes, with route sponsors facilitating federal assistance applications and overseeing regional marine transportation proposals.

Newly designated routes and their sponsors include:

• M-23 (20 miles): Big Sandy River – Co-sponsored by Kentucky and West Virginia DOTs
• M-24 (382 miles): Cumberland River – Co-sponsored by Kentucky and Tennessee DOTs
• M-165 (109 miles): Green River – Sponsored by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
• M-167 (337 miles): Ouachita River – Co-sponsored by Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development and Arkansas Waterways Commission

The USMHP is presently open for grant applications until July 15, 2025. Interested parties can find the Notice of Funding Opportunity and application information on grants.gov.