Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding a $2.05 million federal grant to the Port of Beaumont through the United States Marine Highway Grant program. The funding will help expand marine highway services on the United States’ navigable waterways to reduce congestion, alleviate supply chain bottlenecks, and move goods more quickly from ships to shelves. Specifically, the grant program will allow the Port of Beaumont to acquire two reach stackers, which will be used as the primary equipment for cargo movements associated with the Port of Beaumont “Container on Barge” Service from the Port of Beaumont to Port Houston.

“This is welcome news for the Port of Beaumont,” said Rep. Weber. “Streamlining one of the most important industries in the country, these reach stackers will be integral to the Port of Beaumont’s future success and help our shipping industry rise to new heights. Not to mention, this will allow manufacturers in southeast Texas to use waterways as an alternative to truck and rail systems to transport containers.”