June 13, 2025 — The Port Authority of Guam welcomed two officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) on June 13, 2025 for discussions centered on ongoing federal partnerships and key infrastructure initiatives.
Peter Simons, Acting Director of the Office of Port Infrastructure Development at MARAD Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and Gus Hein, Gateway Director for the Mid-Pacific Region, met with Port officials to discuss the planned acquisition of ship-to-shore gantry cranes and the latest developments on the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program.
“We appreciate the continued support and guidance from MARAD as we work to strengthen our Port’s infrastructure,” said Port General Manager Rory J. Respicio said. “These meetings are vital to ensuring our projects stay on track and aligned with federal priorities that support regional security, economic development, and long-term operational resilience.”
Port officials provided an update on efforts to obtain MARAD funding for the gantry cranes. The Port recently submitted a proposal under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) to acquire three ship-to-shore gantry cranes. The aging condition of the Port’s current equipment limits its ability to manage peak and surge cargo volumes. In addition, one crane going down could set the military readiness program back four years.
Officials also discussed progress under the Port’s RAISE grant to support critical repairs to wharfs F2-F6. The U.S. DOT Office of the Secretary, through MARAD, approved a no cost modification reallocating funds originally designated for Pier F1 to instead support critical repairs to Wharves F2 through F6. The environmental assessment for the project is ongoing.
The Port continues to pursue additional funding sources for the gantry cranes, including potential Department of Defense support through the advocacy of Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio, as well as a congressional appropriation effort led by Congressman James C. Moylan.
General Manager Respicio expressed his appreciation for the continued partnership and technical support from MARAD, emphasizing that these federally supported projects are key to enhancing the Port’s long-term capabilities including fuel piers and Hotel Wharf and Guam’s role as a strategic logistics hub for commercial and defense needs in the Western Pacific.
