April 28, 2026 — The Port Authority of Guam has received official notification from the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration confirming the award of nearly $60 million in federal funding for the acquisition of three new ship-to shore gantry cranes, marking a major milestone in the Port’s modernization efforts.
The funding, awarded through the Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program, will support the procurement, fabrication, delivery, and installation of three new cranes to replace the Port’s existing units, which are more than 40 years old and approaching the end of their service life.
The project, titled Strengthening Supply Chain with New Port Cranes, represents a total investment of approximately $74.5 million, including $59.6 million in federal funding. The Port Authority of Guam will fund its required local match of approximately $14.9 million through its existing reserves.
Port General Manager Rory J. Respicio and Port Authority of Guam Board Chair Dorothy P. Harris joined Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio, and Congressman James Moylan on Monday, April 27, for a formal announcement at Adelup recognizing the award and its significance to Guam’s economy and national security.
“This official notification confirms what our team has been working toward for years,” said General Manager Rory J. Respicio. “I want to recognize and thank our Port Strong employees for the incredible team effort that made this award possible and for continuing to keep our existing cranes operating on our docks every day. Their work is what keeps this port moving.”
Respicio added that the Port is also grateful to the U.S. Maritime Administration, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio, Congressman James Moylan, the Port Authority Board of Directors, military partners, industry partners, and federal and technical partners including OLDCC, WSP, and Liftech for their continued support and collaboration in advancing the project.
“These will be the first new gantry cranes ever procured by the Port,” Respicio said. “The procurement will be structured to evaluate one crane plus shipping, two cranes plus shipping, and three cranes plus shipping to determine overall cost, with the goal of acquiring all three new cranes. Once a contract is awarded, we estimate approximately two years for manufacturing, delivery, and installation. This investment is about strengthening our operations, improving efficiency, and ensuring we can continue to serve as the island’s lifeline and a critical hub for national defense in the Indo-Pacific.”
The new cranes will replace aging equipment originally manufactured in the 1980s and acquired secondhand in 2009. While the existing cranes have been maintained and kept operational, engineering assessments have confirmed they must be replaced to ensure long-term reliability and safety.
As the only commercial seaport on Guam, the Port handles more than 90 percent of the island’s goods, including food, fuel, medical supplies, and construction materials. The new cranes will significantly enhance cargo handling capacity, improve vessel turnaround times, and strengthen the Port’s ability to support both commercial activity and military logistics operations across the region.
With official notification now received, the Port is prepared to move immediately into the next phase of the project. The Invitation for Bid is expected to be issued in the coming weeks, with a multi-step procurement process to follow.
“This is a transformative investment for Guam,” said Respicio. “It strengthens our infrastructure, supports economic growth, and ensures the Port remains ready to meet the needs of our island and our region for decades to come.”
The Port Authority of Guam will continue to work closely with federal partners to advance the project and will provide updates as the procurement process moves forward.
