U.S. seaports have contributed greatly to the nation’s economy in the past five years, according to an economic impact study released by Martin Associates, Lancaster, Pa.

American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), Alexandria, Va., released its “The State of Freight” infrastructure series, which identifies the nearly $4 billion in port and supply chain security needs over the next 10 years.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced $1.5 billion in discretionary grant funding to 91 projects in 49 states and the District of Columbia.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C., completed outer harbor dredging at the Port of Savannah, Savannah, Ga., marking the midpoint of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP).

The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), Japan, announced plans to integrate the World Port Climate Initiative (WPCI) in a wider World Ports Sustainability Programme (WPSP) to extend the scope from climate action to a full range of sustainability port development challenges.

Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to increase 4.6% during the first half of 2017 over the same period last year, as the nation’s economy improves and retail sales continue to grow.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Washington, D.C., unveiled a report aimed at enhancing U.S supply chain efficiency and competitiveness and reducing port congestion.