Graves Announces Nearly $1 Million to Increase Import and Export Capacity at the Port of Baton Rouge

WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Congressman Garret Graves announced today Louisiana received a sixth "Marine Highway Grant" since 2016 - now totaling $8,504,267 in investment.

These grants collectively created and have expanded our container-on-barge program: purchasing new barges, equipment, and towboats to increase Louisiana's capacity and efficiency of container-on-barge service throughout the Mississippi River System. Today's grant is headed to the Port of Baton Rouge and SEACOR AMH LLC.

"Working with our ports and with the U.S. Department of Transportation, we've been able to use the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) grants to establish and expand the container-on-barge program in Louisiana to diversify our transportation network and increase our state's role in domestic and international trade. This funding provides a great opportunity to tap excess capacity on the Mississippi River while preventing additional congestion on our roadways. This investment is great news for the Port of Baton Rouge and for folks that rely on roadways in the Capital Region," Graves said. "Louisiana is home to five of the top 15 ports in the country - an economic engine that strengthens our economy and bolsters our state's competitiveness with the rest of the world. Continuing to improve the Mississippi River and our waterways will bolster ports, move exports quicker, reduce congestion on the roads, create jobs, and keep our state competitive."

The funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD).

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