America's Marine Highway Program

• Click here for Marine Highway Corridor (map)
• Click here for Marine Highway Corridor Descriptions
• Click here for Marine Highway Project Descriptions
• Click here for Marine Highway Initiative Descriptions
• Click here for Guidance on Applying for Marine Highway Grants
• Click here for America's Marine Highway Program - Report to Congress - April 2011

Department of Transportation Announces Selection of Marine Highway Corridors, Projects, Initiatives, and Grants as Part of America’s Marine Highway Program

On August 11, 2010, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood identified 18 marine corridors, 8 projects, and 6 initiatives for further development as part of “America’s Marine Highway Program.”  In addition, the Maritime Administration made available $7 million for which these projects will be able to compete through a Notice of Funding Availability.  Please see the entire press release at www.marad.dot.gov

The Marine Highway Program was fully implemented in April 2010 through publication of a Final Rule in the Federal Register (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-7899.pdf).  The Secretary’s designations were made pursuant to the Final Rule, as required by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. 

Marine Highway Corridors:  These all-water routes consist of 11 Corridors, 4 Connectors and 3 Crossings that can serve as extensions of the surface transportation system.  These corridors identify routes where water transportation presents an opportunity to offer relief to landside corridors that suffer from traffic congestion, excessive air emissions or other environmental concerns and other challenges.  Corridors are generally longer, multi-state routes whereas Connectors represent shorter routes that serve as feeders to the larger Corridors.  Crossings are short routes that transit harbors or waterways and offer alternatives to much longer or less convenient land routes between points.  By designating these Marine Highway Corridors, Connectors and Crossings, Secretary LaHood is taking the first step to focus public and private efforts to use the waterways to relieve landside congestion and attain other benefits that waterborne transportation can offer in the form of reduced greenhouse gas emissions, energy savings and increased system resiliency.   Please click on this link to view the Marine Highway Corridors, Connectors and Crossings: Click here for Marine Highway Corridor Descriptions

Marine Highway Projects:  The Secretary has also selected eight Marine Highway Projects for designation under the program.  These projects represent new or expanded Marine Highway Services that offer promise of public benefit and long-term sustainability without future Federal operational support.  These projects will receive preferential treatment for any future federal assistance from the Department and MARAD.  The projects will help start new businesses or expand existing ones to move more freight or passengers along America’s coastlines and waterways.  The services have the potential to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion along surface corridors as well as provide jobs for skilled mariners and shipbuilders.   The projects were selected from among 35 applications from ports and local transportation planning agencies received by the Department’s Maritime Administration (MARAD).  Please click on this link to view the designated Marine Highway Projects:  Click here for Marine Highway Project Descriptions

Marine Highway Grants:  Sponsors of Marine Highway Projects are eligible to compete for a share of up to $7 million in Marine Highway Grants.  Please click on the attached Notice of Funding Availability for additional information concerning Marine Highway Grants: Click here for Guidance on applying for Marine Highway Grants

Marine Highway Initiatives:  In addition to Projects, the Secretary has selected six applications that, while not developed to the point of proposing specific services and routes required of Project designation, they offer promise of potential in the future.  While not eligible to compete for upcoming Marine Highway Grants, these “Marine Highway Initiatives” will receive support from the Department of Transportation in the form of assistance in further developing the concepts through conduct of research, market analysis and other efforts to identify the opportunities they may present.  Please click on this link to view the Marine Highway Initiatives: Click here for Marine Highway Initiative Descriptions

The Final Rule (MARAD-2010-0035) for America’s Marine Highway Program was published April 9, 2010. The Solicitation of Applications for Marine Highway Projects was published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2010.

The Maritime Administration's Office of Marine Highways & Passenger Services continues to work in Canada and Mexico through the Trilateral Working Group.  Also, see additional latest news for stories and media reports related to the Marine Highway.

America's Marine Highways are supported in several ways, including through reports and publications from Government and academia. Refer to the Program's Reference Library for more information.

In addition, the Marine Highways Cooperative is a consortium of public (Maritime Administration), private, and academic organizations committed to improving transportation mobility through domestic short sea shipping. Other marine highway resources include the National Waterways Conference, MTS Matters, the Waterways Council, and Inland Rivers Port & Terminals.

For additional information, please contact Noel P. Comeaux in the Office of Marine Highways and Passenger Services at 202-366-5527.