The $50 million Guam Commercial Port Improvement Project, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) on behalf of the Department of Defense (DOD), has been completed, MARAD announced yesterday.
“ As Guam’s only commercial port, these facilities are key to unlocking a more prosperous future for the people of the territory – and the whole of the Western Pacific Region ,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
Completed on time and under budget, the upgraded port now has 4.6 acres added to its container yard, providing the facility with an increased capacity for stacking and storing ship containers.
The port also has an improved gate area, which will increase the efficiency and speed of cargo moving through the port.
In addition, the port break bulk yard has been expanded by 10 acres, which will allow greater capacity of cargo.
Administrator Paul ‘Chip” Jaenichen joined Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Governor Eddie Baza Calvo and other local officials for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Port of Guam, originally constructed in the 1950s by the U.S. Navy, and transferred to the government of Guam in the 1960s, has remained largely unchanged since construction.
Since the Port is a vital asset to the economy of Guam and to the national security of the United States, modernization was needed to improve facilities and relieve port congestion.
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