The National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE) has sent a letter to Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Patty Murray (D-WA), leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee, seeking strong support for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Program, calling on Senate Appropriations leaders to maintain and expedite funding to help modernize American ports and strengthen the U.S. maritime industrial base.

In the letter, NAWE emphasized the need for swift allocation of existing funds and continued investment in the Clean Ports Program. The letter highlights how the program supports U.S. manufacturing by enabling the replacement of aging cargo-handling equipment and upgrading critical infrastructure across American ports.

“This equipment is not only driving a vital U.S. manufacturing sector but will be a foundational industry for the revitalization of the U.S. maritime industrial base,” said Carl Bentzel, President of NAWE. “Ports across the country are under pressure to meet growing demand while operating with outdated machinery and limited resources. The Clean Ports Program helps fill that gap and ensures our supply chain remains strong, safe, and globally competitive.”

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 allocated $3 billion through the EPA to support port infrastructure upgrades, including zero-emission cargo handling equipment. Many of these projects rely on U.S.-manufactured equipment, directly supporting American jobs while improving supply chain throughput, congestion relief, and environmental sustainability.

NAWE’s letter urges Congress to keep the momentum going by continuing to fund the Clean Ports Program and refining its structure to better align with the needs of the maritime industry and domestic manufacturers.

“Continuing support for the Clean Ports Program will ensure America’s ports and terminals remain resilient, responsive, and ready to meet the demands of a modern economy,” said Bentzel. “Our members are proud to play a critical role in moving more than 90% of the nation’s containerized trade. This is an investment in our future competitiveness and economic security.”