The Port of Gulfport has been awarded USD 11.25 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration's (MARAD) 2025 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), forming part of a USD 24.5 million project to strengthen the port's national defence role, expand intermodal and container capacity and improve infrastructure resilience across the Gulf Coast supply chain.
The total project cost is funded through a public-private partnership comprising the federal PIDP grant, a USD 9.5 million contribution from stevedore partner Ports America, a USD 2.6 million grant from the Mississippi Department of Transportation's Strategic Multi-Modal Investment Fund and just over USD 1.2 million in port funds. Port CEO Jon Nass described the financing structure as a model of public-private collaboration, converting a modest port contribution into a transformative infrastructure investment.
The grant funds will support targeted improvements across the port's terminal facilities. Rail infrastructure on Terminal 5 will be upgraded and a new intra-port rail connection established between the East Pier and West Pier. Eight acres of Terminal 4 will be paved with concrete and utilities and high mast lighting reconfigured. The same terminal will also be equipped with 24 refrigerated container towers to support growth in perishable import and export volumes.
On the operational resilience side, a ship-to-shore (STS) crane transformer will be acquired to improve reliability during severe weather events, and a reach stacker will support reefer tower operations at Terminal 4 and intermodal activities at Terminal 5. The investment package positions Gulfport for the medium term as a primary intermodal gateway on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Port of Gulfport has been awarded a USD 11.25 million MARAD 2025 PIDP grant.
2. Of the USD 24.5 million total investment, USD 9.5M comes from Ports America, USD 2.6M from the Mississippi DOT and USD 1.2M from port funds.
3. Terminal 5 rail will be upgraded and a new intra-port rail link will be built between the East and West Piers.
4. Eight acres of Terminal 4 will be paved with concrete and 24 refrigerated container towers will be installed.
5. An STS crane transformer and a reach stacker will also be procured to support reefer tower and intermodal operations.
