Press Releases

ARKANSAS — September 24, 2025... Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) welcomed the U.S. Department of Transportation Acting Maritime Administrator (MARAD) Sang H. Yi to Arkansas’s Third Congressional District. Together, they traveled across the district engaging with stakeholders dedicated to improving maritime and multimodal transportation at the state, national, and global levels.

As acting head of the Maritime Administration, Acting Administrator Yi advises and assists the Secretary of Transportation on matters pertaining to the U.S. maritime industry.

Congressman Womack said, “To restore America's maritime dominance, we need strong leadership to confront logistical bottlenecks, accelerate shipbuilding, and develop a highly skilled workforce. It was an honor to welcome MARAD Acting Administrator Sang Yi to Arkansas’s Third District, where I had the opportunity to introduce him to the outstanding leaders in supply chain logistics, distribution, port management, and more who proudly call our district home. Our visit to Five Rivers Distribution at the Van Buren Port and the future site of the River Valley Slackwater Harbor was particularly enlightening. Our discussion about their Port Infrastructure Development Program grant highlighted the importance of moving this project forward for our region.”

Acting Administrator Yi said, “The revitalization of our U.S. maritime industry is a top priority for Secretary Duffy and this administration. These efforts are essential to getting America building again and will prove pivotal in bolstering our national security. I’m grateful to Congressman Womack for hosting the Maritime Administration in Arkansas’s Third District. His leadership in Arkansas and Washington helps strengthen our maritime transportation system, creating more opportunities for Americans. It was clear from exchanging ideas with and listening to industry and government leaders that Arkansans are stepping up to help America compete – and win.”

Visit Highlights

Rep. Womack and Acting Administrator Yi began their morning at Walmart’s Home Office in Bentonville, where they met with company leadership to discuss commercial supply chain challenges and opportunities, particularly in the global ocean import sector.

Their next stop was ArcBest’s Innovation Lab in Fort Smith, where the shipping and logistics company is advancing technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation. These innovations align closely with the Maritime Administration’s mission to strengthen America’s multimodal transportation system.

Womack and Acting Administrator Yi then toured Five Rivers Distribution in Van Buren and met with its leadership team. In 2023, Five Rivers and the Western Arkansas Intermodal Authority (WAIA) received over $15 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration to support the River Valley Slackwater Harbor Project. Womack and the Acting Administrator toured the Harbor’s future site. Once completed, this project will increase the Port of Fort Smith’s capacity and reliability by expanding barge operations and incorporating flood-resilient infrastructure.

Following the site visit, Rep. Womack and Acting Administrator Yi met with the WAIA Board and members of the Fort Smith Port Authority to discuss the commitment MARAD is making to improve our ports and inland waterway infrastructure.

The next day, Rep. Womack and Acting Administrator Yi visited Fayetteville High School to speak with students interested in public policy, governance, and STEM. Acting Administrator Yi and Rep. Womack answered questions from a student panel, encouraging them to pursue excellence in all they do.

At the University of Arkansas’s College of Engineering, Rep. Womack and Acting Administrator Yi received a briefing at the Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center (MarTREC), a Tier 1 University Transportation Center designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The group discussed the center’s research and its impact on both the transportation industry, government policy, and national defense.

The visit concluded with a meeting at Tyson Foods, where Rep. Womack and Acting Administrator Yi met with the company’s transportation leadership team, who shared how they manage an international supply chain to meet global protein demand.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’ Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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