The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced $774 million in funding for U.S. ports, as part of an initiative to boost the country's supply chain infrastructure.

According to an April 28 release from MARAD, the money will go toward 37 projects for ports along coastlines, the Great Lakes and inland rivers, to improve capacity and day-to-day operations. That will include projects to expand rail tunnels, upgrade screening technology for national security, two-tier docks that can support all-weather operations, and new cargo terminals. 

"These port improvements will have generational impacts and enhance the nation’s short and long-term economic competitiveness," said MARAD administrator Stephen Carmel.

MARAD said that its hope for the initiative moving forward is to modernize U.S. ports, strengthen the country's supply chains, reduce time and cost for shippers, and drive down the cost of goods for consumers.

This comes after President Donald Trump issued an April 9 executive order aimed at revitalizing the country's domestic maritime industry. That order included directives to identify key maritime infrastructure to be prioritized for investments, to launch a maritime security trust fund, put together a proposal of incentives for shipbuilding, and deliver a report on the maritime industry's financial and regulatory needs.