The US Department of Transport’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced the designation of six new Marine Highway Projects and a new Marine Highway Route as part of the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP).
In a statement, the Department of Transport (DOT) said the AMHO encourages the use of the US’ navigable waterways for the movement of freight and people as an alternative to land-based transportation.
The new Marine Highway Route is the ‘Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Route Designation (M-GNM1).
According to the DOT the route will allow for the expansion of existing contaierised freight services between Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Nearly all commodities and household and commercial goods needed by residents—including food, clothing, fuel, vehicles, construction materials, and medical supplies—are transported through the islands’ seaports, the DOT explained.
The six new Marine Highway Projects are designed to improve the flow of freight across the US and include the ‘Missouri Rover Container on Barge Project’ which will expand options for transportation of goods on inland waterways to and from ocean ports.
It will also include the ‘Guam Marine Transportation Enhancement Initiative’ which will expand and promote inbound and outbound cargo within the islands, as well as upgrading freight operations in Hawaii and the West Coast.
Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley said, “These new project designations will improve the movement of freight by water all around the nation, including along our coasts, on our inland waterways, and to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
“Making better use of our inland waterways can boost America’s maritime industry and create jobs while cutting emissions and traffic congestion.”
