AAPA’s Sang Yi Urges Greater US Port Infrastructure Investments
In a July 24 interview with AJOT, AAPA President and CEO Sang Yi called for increased federal investment in U.S. port infrastructure, citing President Trump’s request for $500 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) in the FY2027 budget and the House Appropriations Subcommittee’s allocation of $538 million.
Yi noted that PIDP appropriations have declined 64% since 2019 and said funding could hit its lowest level ever if FY26 appropriations carry into FY27, calling for PIDP to be funded at $538 million.
He also highlighted ship-to-shore crane security and domestic manufacturing capacity, the need for continued channel dredging, and AAPA’s engagement with dredge window policy, and pointed to the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (H.R. 9497), which the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reported favorably by a 66-0 vote on July 14.
Yi additionally raised concerns about drone threats at ports and said the AAPA 2026 Annual Convention, to be held September 28-30 in New Orleans, will address topics including the Port of Long Beach/MARAD small modular reactor pilot project, a partnership he helped develop while serving as Deputy Maritime Administrator.